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

ca. 1680-1700 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This sumptuous and colourful suite of jewellery is a rare surviving example. From 1650 to 1675 ribbon bows were a popular dress trimming. They were often combined with a piece of jewellery which might hang below as a pendant. In this case both the pendant and the ribbon bow are jewelled, with the hessonite garnet ribbons twisting through the silver foliage. The jeweller has set coloured foil beneath the coloured stones to enhance their rich colour.

The design of the jewel cleverly simulates the undulations of real ribbons. The combination of gold and silver accentuates the contrasting colours of the gemstones, adding to the impression of distinct jewelled strands. The reverse of the jewel is elaborately engraved with ribbon and floral motifs.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Rose-cut diamonds and hessonite garnets set in gold and silver
Brief description
Bodice ornament, rose-cut diamonds set in silver and hessonite garnets set in gold, probably the Netherlands, about 1680-1700.
Physical description
Bodice ornament of diamonds and hessonite garnets set in silver and gold scrolling openwork; the settings engraved with flowers on the reverse.
Dimensions
  • Width: 11.5cm
  • Depth: 10.5cm
Credit line
Given by Dame Joan Evans
Subject depicted
Summary
This sumptuous and colourful suite of jewellery is a rare surviving example. From 1650 to 1675 ribbon bows were a popular dress trimming. They were often combined with a piece of jewellery which might hang below as a pendant. In this case both the pendant and the ribbon bow are jewelled, with the hessonite garnet ribbons twisting through the silver foliage. The jeweller has set coloured foil beneath the coloured stones to enhance their rich colour.

The design of the jewel cleverly simulates the undulations of real ribbons. The combination of gold and silver accentuates the contrasting colours of the gemstones, adding to the impression of distinct jewelled strands. The reverse of the jewel is elaborately engraved with ribbon and floral motifs.
Associated objects
Collection
Accession number
M.98-1975

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

Record createdMarch 14, 2000
Record URL
Download as: JSONIIIF Manifest