Fonsèque et Olive | Diamond and paste brooch, circa 1890

In 1885, Émile Olive left the Parisian goldsmith and jeweller Lucien Falize and subsequently went into partnership with the jeweller M. Fonsèque. He created ingenious and charming designs such as the coffee bean brooch in 1885 and the grapes brooch in 1889, these were originally presented in miniature wooden wine cases. So popular were these designs that they ultimately led to the firms success.

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.