French Antique Art Nouveau 18ct Yellow Gold Pearl Diamond Brooch Circa 1900


Collections: Sold Archive



Dating to the Art Nouveau era this highly detailed and naturalistic brooch is breathtakingly pretty in every way possible.

Crafted from rich and bright 18ct yellow gold which has also then been ‘bloomed’** to give an even higher carat finish.

Modelled as a floriate open work garland with flowing detailed flowers and leaves in typical Art Nouveau style and set to the centre with a small rose-cut diamond in a white gold (possibly Platinum) illusion setting also designed as a floral motif.
Below the diamond is another flower set with a small natural half Pearl.

Suspended below is an articulated drop with a tiny rose-cut diamond and a small natural baroque Pearl.

Exquisite in its manufacture with tiny marks to the rear pin for origins in France.
Interestingly there are two hidden loops to the rear high on the broochs’ verso to which a fine chain can be threaded allowing this one to be also worn as a pendant.
A true Heirloom piece.. what a lovely addition to your jewellery collection.


History of Blooming

Blooming, a popular finishing technique for karat gold jewellery from 1870 to 1890, was first documented in 1853.  The means for creating a bloom finish involved dipping a gold item into a boiling mixture of hydrochloric acid (muriatic acid), saltpeter (potassium nitrate), salt and water.  This process burned off any alloys on the surface resulting in an alloy-free, thin layer of soft, pure gold on the item.

STONES
Diamond
Pearl

ERA
Art Nouveau 1890-1910

MEASUREMENTS
3.8cm x 3.0cm

WEIGHT
4.23 Grams

MARKS
Tiny French marks for 18ct

CONDITION
Very good to excellent antique condition.  Gold is lovely and the blooming gives a high(er) carat matte finish.  Original C clasp and pin to verso.  Gorgeous piece with no issues to note.
    

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