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

Bodice Ornament

1860-70 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The bodice ornament was perhaps made by Crouzet, who worked for all the major Parisian goldsmiths, producing jewellery of fine quality and original design. He is known to have produced pieces in the Moroccan taste. The jewel may have been suitable for wear during mourning.
By the 1860s, as European commercial jewellery lost its appeal in artistic circles, jewellery from the Middle East and India became an important influence. In London, the Art Journal encouraged an appreciation of jewellery from countries such as Syria and Palestine. In Paris, jewellery made in the Moroccan style reflected the French engagement with North Africa.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Gold , enamelled and set with diamonds and pearls
Brief description
Four bodice ornaments, gold, enamelled in black and set with pearls and diamonds, 1860-70
Physical description
Four units, gold, enamelled in black and set with pearls and brilliant-cut diamonds in the Moroccan manner of Crouzet
Dimensions
  • Length: 8.1cm
  • Width: 10.1cm
  • Depth: 0.8cm
Style
Marks and inscriptions
(Translated from Arabic.)
Translation
'To the beloved ones'
Credit line
Cory Bequest
Production
In the Moroccan manner of Crouzet
Subject depicted
Summary
The bodice ornament was perhaps made by Crouzet, who worked for all the major Parisian goldsmiths, producing jewellery of fine quality and original design. He is known to have produced pieces in the Moroccan taste. The jewel may have been suitable for wear during mourning.
By the 1860s, as European commercial jewellery lost its appeal in artistic circles, jewellery from the Middle East and India became an important influence. In London, the Art Journal encouraged an appreciation of jewellery from countries such as Syria and Palestine. In Paris, jewellery made in the Moroccan style reflected the French engagement with North Africa.
Bibliographic reference
Shirley Bury, Jewellery 1789-1910, The International Era, Vol. II. p.687, colour plate plate 192
Collection
Accession number
M.146-1951

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Record createdFebruary 9, 2006
Record URL
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