Hair Ornament thumbnail 1
Hair Ornament 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

Hair Ornament

1905-7 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Philippe Wolfers was the most prestigious of the Art Nouveau jewellers working in Brussels. Like his Parisian contemporary René Lalique, he was greatly influenced by the natural world. These exotic orchids feature in the work of both. The technical achievement of enamelling in plique-a-jour (backless) enamel on these undulating surfaces is impressive.
Orchids symbolised the Art Nouveau movement and its fascination with nature, sensuality and exotic flowers.

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Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Gold, plique-a-jour enamel, diamonds and rubies
Brief description
Hair ornament of gold, enamel, diamonds and rubies in the form of an orchid, made by Philippe Wolfers, Belgium, 1905-7.
Physical description
Jewel in the shape of an orchid, its four curving lilac petals emanating from a central diamond.
Dimensions
  • Height: 7.6cm
  • Width: 7.6cm
Style
Marks and inscriptions
Maker's monogram 'PW' and 'EX. UNIQUE'
Subject depicted
Summary
Philippe Wolfers was the most prestigious of the Art Nouveau jewellers working in Brussels. Like his Parisian contemporary René Lalique, he was greatly influenced by the natural world. These exotic orchids feature in the work of both. The technical achievement of enamelling in plique-a-jour (backless) enamel on these undulating surfaces is impressive.
Orchids symbolised the Art Nouveau movement and its fascination with nature, sensuality and exotic flowers.
Bibliographic references
  • Greenhalgh, Paul (Ed.), Art Nouveau: 1890-1914 . London: V&A Publications, 2000
  • International Exhibition of Modern Jewellery 1890- 1961, London: Worshipful Co. of Goldsmiths, 1961 no.888
Collection
Accession number
M.11-1962

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Record createdDecember 30, 2003
Record URL
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