Brooch
ca. 1880 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
This brooch is a superb example of the Victorian taste for insects in jewellery. This beetle has been decorated with translucent enamels which allow the colour of the gold to shine through. It is set with diamond chips. The leaf has been engraved and then matted all over, using a circular matting tool to create a dense, matt surface which contrasts with the shiny enamels.
Object details
| Category | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Enamelled, engraved, chased and matted gold |
| Brief description | Gold brooch in the form of an enamelled and diamond-set beetle on a leaf, probably England, ca. 1880 |
| Physical description | Gold brooch in the form of a beetle on a leaf. The beetle is decorated in green, brown, red and colourless translucent enamel on an engraved and chased ground, and in black enamel. The inner and upper edges of the wing cases are set with diamond sparks, of which the largest is rose-cut. The leaf is engraved and matted. The beetle is attached to the leaf by a screw. The pointed end of the pin is retained by a C scroll. A gold safety chain runs from the end of the join to a safety pin. |
| Dimensions |
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| Production type | Unique |
| Credit line | Given by Roger and Geoffrey Munn in memory of their parents |
| Summary | This brooch is a superb example of the Victorian taste for insects in jewellery. This beetle has been decorated with translucent enamels which allow the colour of the gold to shine through. It is set with diamond chips. The leaf has been engraved and then matted all over, using a circular matting tool to create a dense, matt surface which contrasts with the shiny enamels. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.62-2003 |
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| Record created | December 7, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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