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.
Orchids symbolised the Art Nouveau movement and its fascination with nature, sensuality and exotic flowers.
Object details
| Category | |
| 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 |
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| 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 |
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| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.11-1962 |
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| Record created | December 30, 2003 |
| Record URL |
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