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Hair ornament
  • Hair ornament
    Wolfers, Philippe, born 1858 - died 1929
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Hair ornament

  • Place of origin:

    Belgium (made)

  • Date:

    1905-7 (made)

  • Artist/Maker:

    Wolfers, Philippe, born 1858 - died 1929 (maker)

  • Materials and Techniques:

    Gold, plique-a-jour enamel, diamonds and rubies

  • Museum number:

    M.11-1962

  • Gallery location:

    Jewellery, room 91, case 55, shelf A, box 2

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Philippe Wolfers was the most prestigious of the Art Nouveau jewellers working in Brussels. Like his Parisian contemporary René Lalique, he was greatly influenced by the natural world. These exotic orchids feature in the work of both. The technical achievement of enamelling in plique-a-jour (backless) enamel on these undulating surfaces is impressive.
Orchids symbolised the Art Nouveau movement and its fascination with nature, sensuality and exotic flowers.

Physical description

Jewel in the shape of an orchid, its four curving lilac petals emanating from a central diamond.

Place of Origin

Belgium (made)

Date

1905-7 (made)

Artist/maker

Wolfers, Philippe, born 1858 - died 1929 (maker)

Materials and Techniques

Gold, plique-a-jour enamel, diamonds and rubies

Marks and inscriptions

Maker's monogram 'PW' and 'EX. UNIQUE'

Dimensions

Height: 7.6 cm, Width: 7.6 cm

Descriptive line

Hair ornament of gold, enamel, diamonds and rubies in the form of an orchid, made by Philippe Wolfers, Belgium, 1905-7.

Bibliographic References (Citation, Note/Abstract, NAL no)

Greenhalgh, Paul Ed., Art Nouveau : 1890 - 1914. London: V&A Publications, 2000. 464 p., 15.4pl, ill. ISBN 1851772774

Exhibition History

Art Nouveau - 1890-1914 (Victoria and Albert Museum 06/04/2000-30/07/2000)
International Exhibition of Modern Jewellery 1890-1961 (Goldsmiths' Hall 26/10/1961-02/12/1961)

Materials

Gold; Enamel; Diamond; Ruby

Subjects depicted

Orchid

Categories

Jewellery

Collection code

MET

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Qr_O88347
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