Wednesday, December 5, 2012

Mastery of Design: The Joicey Garnet Parure, c. 1835


Parure of Gold and Garnets
English, c. 1835
The Victoria & Albert Museum



This posh parure looks affords the look of enormous wealth, however, it’s a bit of clever jewelry trickery. With mounts stamped from a thin sheet of gold, the pieces appear to be heavier than they are. The lushness of the stones is real enough, the warm red glow of carbuncles (almandine garnets, cut en cabochon), and, when combined with the swirling mounts, the overall impression is one of immense richness. 



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