Mastery of Design: A Colored Gold and Diamond Spray Brooch, circa 1830

Brooch
Colored Gold and Rose-Cut Diamonds
The Victoria & Albert Museum

Set in multi-colored gold, rose-cut diamonds form the centerpiece of this magnificent floral spray brooch. Pins such as this one would have been the height of fashion in 183o’s Britain when presenting precious metal and stone replicas of flowers and plants was one of the most popular ways to express affection and esteem.
This brooch was made in Western Europe for import to Britain. The fine gold-work and remarkable clarity of the diamonds would have fetched a high price even when the piece was made in the 1830’s. This was part of a large collection of diamond jewelry donated to the V&A by Dame Joan Evans.