A FINE LATE 19TH CENTURY 'EN TREMBLANT' FLORAL SPRAY CORSAGE ORNAMENT/BROOCH, CIRCA 1880

The old cushion and rose-cut diamond flowerhead mounted en tremblant, the foliage similarly-set,...

A FINE LATE 19TH CENTURY 'EN TREMBLANT' FLORAL SPRAY CORSAGE ORNAMENT/BROOCH, CIRCA 1880

The old cushion and rose-cut diamond flowerhead mounted en tremblant, the foliage similarly-set, mounted in silver and gold, diamonds approximately 6.50cts in total, French assay marks, numbered 9308, within later fitted case by 'Moira Fine Jewellery, 11 New Bond Street, London W1', detachable into two parts, length together: 15cm, shorter: 9cm

* With maker's mark 'AF' partly rubbed off, possibly for Alphonse Fouquet 1828-1911

 

Alphonse Fouquet (1828 1911), father of the better-known Georges Fouquet, was a French jeweller who began his career serving as an apprentice in Paris at the age of eleven. Alphonse was an obvious natural talent and in spite of years of abuse under his master, Henri Meusnier, he eventually forged a name for himself and in 1860 opened his own atelier. Here he specialised in the creation of Renaissance revival jewellery featuring sphinxes, nymphs and other mythological creatures. However, it is clear that Alphonse was also known to produce the fashionable en tremblant corsage ornaments whose popularity had continued to soar throughout the nineteenth century. A similar brooch to this lot was sold at Sothebys New York earlier this year. From the personal collection of jeweller to the stars Fred Leighton, it sold for USD 12,500 (c. Ôé¼ 10,775).

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