Fine Art-Nouveau-Inspired Brooch in Enamel and Diamonds, late 20th Century

In the fall, there is a special spectacle: the maples seeds gradually detach from the tree to fall to the earth in a whirling dance. But shortly before, in summer, they hang green and bundled on the tree, as if slumbering – waiting to take flight soon. This scene, which reminds us in an artistic way of transience but also of the cyclical return of all natural beauty, is illustrated in this brooch. Cascades of green maple fruits made of translucent plique-à-jour enamel are mounted on a diamond-studded whiplash ornament. On golden joints, they appear to sway as if in the wind. Between them, on narrow gold bars like fine branches, diamonds flash as if the leaves were wet with morning dew. Jewelry made of semi-transparent fenestrated enamel was the supreme discipline of Art Nouveau, which elevated jewellery to an art discipline around c. 1900. This brooch was created in later times as a successful homage to the great works of art of Art Nouveau, particularly in the style of Georges Fouquet, who produced ethereal jewels in the form of cascades of enamel leaves based on designs by Charles Desrosiers. It skillfully transfers the ephemeral moment into the lasting materiality of the jewellery. The jewel has been preserved in the box of a Parisian jeweller. Later, however, it made its way to Vienna, as its hallmarks show. From there it came to us.

Estimate:£10,754.53

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