Attributed to Fonsèque et Olive

Garnet and Diamond Grape Brooch, Circa 1887

No reserve

Lot Closed

June 3, 01:18 PM GMT

Estimate

3,000 - 4,000 GBP

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Lot Details

Description

The bunch of frosted garnet grapes, on a rose-cut diamond vine.

  • Partial French maker's mark
  • French assay mark
  • Possibly later brooch pin
  • Length 45mm

Translated by Katharine Purcell, French Jewelry of the Nineteenth Century by Henri Vever, London, 2001, pg. 904 and 1024, for illustrations of brooches of similar design, dated 1889.

A similar example may also be seen in the Victoria & Albert Museum London, accession number M.88-2007.

Emile Olive (1853 - 1902) initially worked for renowned Parisian goldsmith and jeweller Lucien Falize, having studied at the École des Arts Décoratifs. In 1885, having gone into partnership with M. Fonsèque, he introduced the whimsical coffee bean brooch, followed a few years later by the charming grape brooch seen here. The brooches depicting bunches of grapes were initially displayed in a miniature case of wooden wine crates of Chasselas de Fontainebleau wine. These playful yet refined creations captured public imagination and became instrumental in propelling the firm to lasting success. Usually made of glass and occasionally chrysoberyl, this example is very rare for the use of garnet. 

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