c18th Portuguese Flower

Sumptuous example of a c18th Portuguese foiled topaz and quartz spiky flower pin.c.1770.

The topaz stones are foiled in shades of warm orange and the quartz pale violet. Set in closed-back domed silver settings. The beauty of these jewels lie in the subtle colour shading of the foiling and the calibré cut of the stones to fit the petals.

4 cms diameter.

Condition very fine, all stones original, some age related wear as expected.

 These ‘flowers’ were worn as aigrettes in the high hair styles so fashionable in the second half of the c18th, often on trembling coiled springs. Usually set with topaz, ‘minas novas’, quartz or beryl, the blooms resemble dahlias, carnations and pansies. For the ultimate collection of these jewels see The National Museum of Ancient Art in Lisbon.