Brooch
1875-1900 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Platinum, first found in South America, though strong and resistant to tarnish was seldom used in jewellery because of its rarity and the high temperature required to melt it. Its modern role for setting diamonds dates back to about 1870 although it did not become widespread until around 1900.
Diamonds were no longer reserved for grand occasions. By about 1900 it was even fashionable to wear them in the morning, a change in taste encouraged by the flow of stones from South Africa which began in the late 1860s.
Diamonds were no longer reserved for grand occasions. By about 1900 it was even fashionable to wear them in the morning, a change in taste encouraged by the flow of stones from South Africa which began in the late 1860s.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Platinum and gold, set with diamonds, a ruby, a natural pearl and an emerald |
| Brief description | Platinum and gold, a butterfly set with diamonds and a ruby, a natural pearl and an emerald, Marcus & Co, New York, 1875-1900. |
| Physical description | Brooch in the form of a butterfly. Platinum and gold, set with diamonds, a ruby, a natural pearl and an emerald. |
| Dimensions |
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| Marks and inscriptions | Stamped M & Co (On reverse.)
|
| Credit line | Given by the American Friends of the V&A through the generosity of Patricia V. Goldstein. |
| Subject depicted | |
| Summary | Platinum, first found in South America, though strong and resistant to tarnish was seldom used in jewellery because of its rarity and the high temperature required to melt it. Its modern role for setting diamonds dates back to about 1870 although it did not become widespread until around 1900. Diamonds were no longer reserved for grand occasions. By about 1900 it was even fashionable to wear them in the morning, a change in taste encouraged by the flow of stones from South Africa which began in the late 1860s. |
| Other numbers |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.146-2007 |
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| Record created | March 5, 2008 |
| Record URL |
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