Antique Gold Brooch with Diamonds & Turquoises, Probably England, c. 1845

In earlier times, jewellery not only had a decorative function, but the choice of pieces of jewellery could also convey a message. This brooch from the 1840s is a fine example of this, as it represents an old symbol of friendship and affection. Crafted from high-carat gold, the front of the brooch is decorated with a forget-me-not: its two flowers are each made up of five sky-blue Persian turquoises, each grouped around a small diamond rose. The forget-me-not has a name with the same meaning in many languages. On the one hand, it is a symbol of tender remembrance. On the other hand, it was also intended to symbolize true love, a meaning attributed to the flower by Anna Burke in her Dictionary of the Language of Flowers, published in 1856. Pieces of jewellery such as this specimen, created in the particularly sentimental early Victorian era, were understood as a pledge of affection that would ensure the lasting memory of the giver. Sweeping leaf tendrils and floral ornaments frame the curved outer line of the brooch. There is also a sentimental secret on the back: covered by a glass plate, there is an inlay of artfully woven hair, with which the brooch was intended to commemorate a very specific person (see "Find out more"). The brooch is therefore not only decorative, but also a collector's item with touching symbolism.

Estimation:€1,890

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