Brooch
1940-1950 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Colourful, gem-set jewellery in the form of flowers and birds regained popularity during the 1940s and 50s. It provided a softer alternative to the abstract designs which were also widely used during this period.
Although this brooch uses both platinum and gold, it is the yellow metal which really catches the eye, capturing the dramatic flourish of the bird’s tail. This prominent use of gold reflects its increased fashionability – the result of wartime requisitioning of platinum for use in the armaments industry.
Although this brooch uses both platinum and gold, it is the yellow metal which really catches the eye, capturing the dramatic flourish of the bird’s tail. This prominent use of gold reflects its increased fashionability – the result of wartime requisitioning of platinum for use in the armaments industry.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Gold and platinum set with diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires |
| Brief description | Gold and platinum brooch in the form of a bird of paradise, set with yellow and colourless diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires, France, 1940-50. |
| Physical description | Gold and platinum brooch in the form of a bird of paradise, set with yellow and colourless diamonds, emeralds, rubies and sapphires |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | Given by the American Friends of the V&A through the generosity of Patricia V. Goldstein |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | Colourful, gem-set jewellery in the form of flowers and birds regained popularity during the 1940s and 50s. It provided a softer alternative to the abstract designs which were also widely used during this period. Although this brooch uses both platinum and gold, it is the yellow metal which really catches the eye, capturing the dramatic flourish of the bird’s tail. This prominent use of gold reflects its increased fashionability – the result of wartime requisitioning of platinum for use in the armaments industry. |
| Other numbers |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.121-2007 |
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| Record created | January 17, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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