Cross
1870-1872 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
Bourg-en-Bresse, in the south east of France, specialised in the making of enamels. The enamellers did not work directly on the finished object, but made individual plaques of enamel in a wide palette of different colours, building up the surface with separate drops of colour and tiny shapes made from gold leaf. The jewellers then set these plaques in jewellery, as if they were precious stones. They often added a tiny stone in the centre of the plaques, creating a rich multi-textured effect. Many Bressan enamel plaques were exported to other places, particularly Paris, where local goldsmiths used them in their jewellery. This necklace has the mark of Paul Ydot of Paris, who worked from 1870 to 1891. It was bought for £1 2s. 6d. at the International Exhibition, London, 1872.
The British revered French fashion as much in the 19th century as today, and loved the rich colours of Bressan enamels. They believed that these pieces were authentic French peasant jewellery but most never formed part of traditional costume.
The British revered French fashion as much in the 19th century as today, and loved the rich colours of Bressan enamels. They believed that these pieces were authentic French peasant jewellery but most never formed part of traditional costume.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Silver-gilt set with coloured enamels from Bourg-en-Bresse, each set with a small coloured paste, in a filigree frame |
Brief description | Silver-gilt cross set with Bressan enamels and small coloured pastes, Paris (France), 1870-1872. |
Physical description | Silver-gilt cross set with five oval plaques of Bressan enamel surrounding a central circular plaque. Each plaque has a turquoise ground and is set with a small red or green paste in the centre. There is filigree tracery round the edges of the cross. At the top is a suspension ring, with a bale set with a drop-shaped plaque matching those on the cross. |
Dimensions |
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Marks and inscriptions |
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Subject depicted | |
Summary | Bourg-en-Bresse, in the south east of France, specialised in the making of enamels. The enamellers did not work directly on the finished object, but made individual plaques of enamel in a wide palette of different colours, building up the surface with separate drops of colour and tiny shapes made from gold leaf. The jewellers then set these plaques in jewellery, as if they were precious stones. They often added a tiny stone in the centre of the plaques, creating a rich multi-textured effect. Many Bressan enamel plaques were exported to other places, particularly Paris, where local goldsmiths used them in their jewellery. This necklace has the mark of Paul Ydot of Paris, who worked from 1870 to 1891. It was bought for £1 2s. 6d. at the International Exhibition, London, 1872. The British revered French fashion as much in the 19th century as today, and loved the rich colours of Bressan enamels. They believed that these pieces were authentic French peasant jewellery but most never formed part of traditional costume. |
Collection | |
Accession number | 1230-1873 |
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Record created | June 24, 2009 |
Record URL |
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