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

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

Categories
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
  • Length: 4.6cm
  • Width: 3.2cm
  • Depth: 1.5cm
Production typeUnique
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 createdDecember 7, 2003
Record URL
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