A beautifully designed and executed 18ct gold brooch that was most likely made in America circa 1900-1910. It is typical of the Art Nouveau period in its attention to the flowing botanical design. In the centre is a flower with a lovely ruby in the centre. The five petals are composed of shaped natural baroque pearls. One hundred and fifty years ago America was the source of natural fresh water pearls. They are lustrous, uneven, with crinkled textures known as \u201cAngel Wings\u201d and \u201cDog Tooth.\u201d American natural pearls are now found only in antique jewellery. The natural Mississippi pearl\u2019s freedom of form was well suited to the naturalistic forms of art nouveau design. They were commonly called Mississippi River pearls or sometimes Unio pearls for the Unios mussel, one of the species in which they are found. These mussels were once common in the freshwater lakes and rivers of the eastern United States.
\nGeorge F. Kunz, America\u2019s preeminent gemologist was employed by Tiffany & Co. in 1879. Kunz amassed a collection of American gems, pearls and rare mineral specimens for Tiffany\u2019s exhibition at Paris\u2019 1889 Exposition. Kunz had a close working relationship with Charles Tiffany and his artistic son, Louis Comfort Tiffany. He encouraged them to use the American pearl in the design of jewellery. Jewellery design at this time (late 1890s – 1910s) was heavily influenced by the primarily French Art Nouveau movement.
\nAround the flower are leaves and tendrils set with green garnets, otherwise known as demantoid garnets, and diamonds. Demantoid garnets had just been discovered in the Urals in Russia and not only were they expensive but they were sought after to set in various jewels in the Art Nouveau period. They are a beautiful vivid apple green colour. There is a further Mississippi pearl drop. The quality and design of this brooch is fantastic. It can also be converted to a pendant as a chain can be attached to both sides.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
A beautifully designed and executed 18ct gold brooch that was most likely made in America circa 1900-1910. It is typical of the Art Nouveau period in its attention to the flowing botanical design. In the centre is a flower with a lovely ruby in the centre. The five petals are composed of shaped natural baroque […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":1000000404971,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false},"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[5308],"product_tag":[],"class_list":{"1":"product","6":"product_cat-uncategorised","7":"type-vintage-brooches","8":"type-vintage-pendants","9":"period-art-nouveau","10":"period-edwardian","11":"ollys-picks-all","12":"material-diamond","13":"material-gold","14":"material-green-garnet","15":"material-metals","16":"material-pearl","17":"material-precious-stones","18":"material-ruby","20":"first","21":"instock","22":"taxable","23":"shipping-taxable","24":"purchasable","25":"product-type-simple"},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"