- Museum number
- 1978,1002.585
- Description
-
Gold brooch-pendant set with an oval panel of hardstone inlay or pietra dura depicting a bunch of pansies. The gold ropework border is in 'archaeological style' with a single thread of twisted wire decorating a detachable pendant loop. A hinged glass-covered compartment in the reverse Image below.
- Production date
- 1850-1870 (circa)
- Dimensions
-
Height: 7.30 centimetres
- Curator's comments
- Text from catalogue of the Hull Grundy Gift (Gere et al 1984) no 940:
The design is executed in shaped hardstone inlaid into a dark marble ground; this type of work was the speciality of Florence in the nineteenth century (see Pampaloni Martelli 1975). Mrs Jameson's comments in Diary of an Ennuyée, London, 1826, p.104, highlights the esteem in which the local pietra dura work was held, although her view is none too complimentary: 'At the Pietra Dura, notwithstanding the beauty and durability of some of the objects manufactured, the results seemed to me scarce worth the incredible time, patience and labour required in the work. Par exemple, six months' hard labour spent upon a butterfly in the lid of a snuffbox seems a most disproportionate waste of time. Thirty workmen are employed here at the Grand Duke's expense; for this manufacture, like the Gobelins at Paris, is exclusively carried out for the sovereign'. 'Florentine mosaics' with floral designs in pietra dura set as brooches were exhibited by Montelatici of Florence at the Paris Universal Exhibition of 1867 (Art Journal Illustrated Catalogue, 1867, p.303). (Judy Rudoe)
In the Victorian language of sentiment, pansies stood for pensées (thoughts, or ‘I think of you’), commonly depicted with two purple and three yellow petals in gems or enamel (see various examples, i.e. HG no. 592, 735-8). This hardstone inlay is a remarkably observant and sensitive depiction of the modern variety of the pansy, when experiments in the cultivation of the native viola produced the large flower that we know today. The first blotched variety was grown in 1830, and the richly coloured velvety variety, which closely resembles these pansies, was introduced in 1861. These flowers aroused great interest and the large, richly-coloured pansy is found in jewellery design from very soon after they first became generally available, c.1840. (Charlotte Gere)
Information supplementary to Hull Grundy Catalogue:
In the Victorian language of sentiment, pansies stood for pensées (thoughts, or ‘I think of you’), commonly depicted with two purple and three yellow petals in gems or enamel (see various examples, i.e. HG no. 592, 735-8). This hardstone inlay is a remarkably observant and sensitive depiction of the modern variety of the pansy, when experiments in the cultivation of the native viola produced the large flower that we know today. The first blotched variety was grown in 1830, and the richly coloured velvety variety, which closely resembles these pansies, was introduced in 1861. These flowers aroused great interest and the large, richly-coloured pansy is found in jewellery design from very soon after they first became generally available, c.1840.
For a documented Florentine pietra dura demi-parure by Giocondo Torrini, see the set of brooch and matching earrings; gold with hardstone or pietra dura mosaic; each item set with mosaic plaque depicting 'Doves of Pliny'; gold settings decorated with applied wirework, contained in its original green velvet case for Torrini, Florence, with label and maker's mark, 1994,0111.1-3. (Charlotte Gere)
- Location
- On display (G47/dc8)
- Acquisition date
- 1978-1981
- Department
- Britain, Europe and Prehistory
- Registration number
- 1978,1002.585
- Additional IDs
-
Miscellaneous number: HG.585 (masterlist number)
