Brooch thumbnail 1
Brooch thumbnail 2
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Jewellery, Rooms 91, The William and Judith Bollinger Gallery

Brooch

1810-20 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The cameos in the brooch show subjects such as cupids, pairs of doves and the altar of love. Jewels with portraits or symbols of love, such as butterflies, doves and cupids, were very popular.

Sentimental jewellery was an outward expression of emotion. It was used to declare affection for family and friends, passion for a lover, and loyalty to a monarch or a cause, also religious devotion and grief.


Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Shell and gold
Brief description
Brooch, shell cameo of putti, mounted in gold, Italy, 1810-20
Physical description
Brooch, shell cameo of putti, mounted in gold.
Dimensions
  • Height: 3.4cm
  • Width: 4.1cm
  • Depth: 1.1cm
Subjects depicted
Summary
The cameos in the brooch show subjects such as cupids, pairs of doves and the altar of love. Jewels with portraits or symbols of love, such as butterflies, doves and cupids, were very popular.

Sentimental jewellery was an outward expression of emotion. It was used to declare affection for family and friends, passion for a lover, and loyalty to a monarch or a cause, also religious devotion and grief.
Collection
Accession number
1314A-1871

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Record createdAugust 8, 2005
Record URL
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