Spray
ca. 1860 (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.
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
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Brilliant- and rose-cut diamonds set in silver |
| Brief description | Flower spay ornament for bodice or head, brilliant- and rose- cut diamonds, with two 'trembers', set in silver, Western Europe, about 1860 |
| Physical description | Ornament for bodice or head in the form of a floral spray, brilliant-cut diamonds with a few rose-cut specimens in three attached units, with two 'trembers' set in silver. Design of blooming roses, rosebuds and leaves. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Credit line | Cory Bequest |
| Subjects depicted | |
| 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.140-1951 |
About this object record
Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.
Suggest feedback
| Record created | August 17, 2005 |
| Record URL |
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest
