Ornament thumbnail 1
Ornament thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Ornament

1840-50 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

By the mid 19th century naturalism in jewellery had come to include movement. Flexible or coiled stalks (tremblers) made the flowers and fruit quiver and glitter when the wearer moved.

The larger floral pieces created a glamorous display on grand occasions but could also be dismantled into smaller, more wearable elements, such as brooches.

Floral jewellery made a touching gift of love or friendship. It could also convey symbolic messages. In The Language of Flowers, first published by Mrs Burke in 1856, the lily of the valley signified a return of happiness, while the convolvulus could have a number of meanings – from the bonds of love to repose or even extinguished hope.


Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Foiled rock crystals, pearls and garnets set in enamelled gold
Brief description
Part of a head ornament, later a brooch fitting, folied rock crystals, pearls and garnets set in enamelled gold, Britain, about 1840-50
Physical description
Part of a head ornament, later a brooch fitting, foiled rock crystals, pearls and garnets set in enamelled gold.
Dimensions
  • Height: 6cm
  • Width: 15.6cm
  • Depth: 3.6cm
Credit line
Cory Bequest
Summary
By the mid 19th century naturalism in jewellery had come to include movement. Flexible or coiled stalks (tremblers) made the flowers and fruit quiver and glitter when the wearer moved.

The larger floral pieces created a glamorous display on grand occasions but could also be dismantled into smaller, more wearable elements, such as brooches.

Floral jewellery made a touching gift of love or friendship. It could also convey symbolic messages. In The Language of Flowers, first published by Mrs Burke in 1856, the lily of the valley signified a return of happiness, while the convolvulus could have a number of meanings – from the bonds of love to repose or even extinguished hope.
Collection
Accession number
M.83-1951

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Record createdAugust 15, 2005
Record URL
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