12 août 2017

Karl Rothmüller (1860-1930), Eternal Entwined Snakes Brooch, German, c. 1900. Gold, Peridot, Diamond, Pearl. W 2.90 cm (1.14 in); L 3.30 cm (1.30 in) © Tadema Gallery. The naturalistic snakes biting a large emerald cut fine green peridot The power & vitality of a good Lalique jewel.  Literature: cf. Meyers Lexikon Schmucksachen II, brooch version with oval stone Serpentina - Snake Jewellery from around the World, Fritz Falk, 2011, ISBN 978-3-89790-354-8 silver & gold pendant... [Lire la suite]

Belle Epoque "Naiad & Sturgeons" Brooch, France, c. 1895. Gold, Carved Agate & Pearl. H 3.80 cm (1.50 in); W 3.50 cm (1.38 in) © Tadema Gallery. A rare depiction in jewelry of a naiad* (fresh water mermaid) encircled by two sturgeon & water lily leaves. It appears that the naiad has called the sturgeon up stream to spawn.Inspiration & workmanship worthy of a Faberge Jewel. A Fin de Siecle homage to caviar? *see painting by J W Waterhouse 1896 Hylas is abducted by the... [Lire la suite]

Art Nouveau Exceptional Ring, France, c. 1900. Gold, plique-à-jour, pearl & diamond. H 2.40 cm (0.94 in); W 1.50 cm (0.59 in) © Tadema Gallery. An exceptional Art Nouveau ring in the manner of Georges Fouquet. The baroque-shaped natural pearl measuring approximately 11.3 x 7.6 mm.  Literature: cf. Die Fouquet, 1860-1960, Schmuck Kunstler in Paris, Museum Bellerive, Zurich, 1984. Schmuck Kunst im Jugendstil,Art Nouveau Jewellery, Arnoldsche, 1999, p.33-50. The Paris Salons 1895-1914,... [Lire la suite]

Attributed to Charles Robert Ashbee (1863-1942), Superb Guild of Handicraft Pendant. Silver Gold Garnet Pearl. H  10.70 cm (4.21 in); W  4.70 cm (1.85 in). © Tadema Gallery. This pendant can be attributed to Ashbee, as it shows the characteristics of his style, for example in the use of the foliage and the combination of materials such as silver, gold, garnet cabochons and blister pearls, for this cf. Charlotte Gere and Geoffrey Munn, Artist's Jewellery, Pre-Raphaelite to Arts and Crafts,... [Lire la suite]

 Wilhelm Lucas von Cranach (1861-1918), Symbolist Brooch 'The Cockerel & The Hen', Germany, c. 1900. Gold, enamel, demantoid garnet, ruby & pearl. H  3.40 cm (1.34 in)  |  W  5.20 cm (2.05 in). © Tadema Gallery. Monogrammed twice 'WLC'. Original fitted case signed Lucas von Cranach. A rare example of Cranach's humorous side in the creation of this exceptional jewel which epitomises the renaissance spirit of his artistry. His imagination &... [Lire la suite]

Emile Olive (1852-1902), An Impressive Belle Epoque Brooch Pendant, France, c. 1895. Gold, silver, plique-à-jour enamel, emerald, diamond & pearl. H 9.00 cm (3.54 in); W 5.20 cm (2.05 in) © Tadema Gallery. Emile Olive succeeded Georges Le Saché as designer for Lucien Falize. He left Falize in 1885 to form a partnership with Georges Fonsèque in Paris. After Olive’s death in 1902 Fonseque continued the business for a further twenty years.   This pendant is an exceptional example of the fusion of Japonisme and Art... [Lire la suite]

Bowl with lotus and chrysanthemum scrolls, China, Ming dynasty, Hongwu period (1368-1398). Porcelain painted in underglaze blue. Height: 14 cm, Diameter: 33.7 cm. Given by Sotheby & Co., C.18-1957 © Victoria and Albert Museum, London 2017. Porcelain bowl with rounded, spreading sides rising from a rather small, tapering footrim. The base is glazed, and the glaze is poorly controlled above the foot. Painted in underglaze blue on the inside with a large medallion comprising a peony spray; round the... [Lire la suite]

Dish, Jingdezhen, Ming dynasty, Hongwu period (1368-1398). Porcelain with incised and moulded decoration in relief. Diameter: 14.6 cm. C.11-1954 © Victoria and Albert Museum, London 2017. Dish, circular, round the rim, two dragons pursuing each other amidst cloud-scrolls, in moulded relief. On the well, incised with three cloud-scrolls.

 Cup, China (Jingdezhen), Ming dynasty, Hongwu period (1368-98). Porcelain with decoration in moulded relief and incised under copper red glaze. Height: 5.1 cm, Diameter: 9.8 cm. C.138-1963 © Victoria and Albert Museum, London 2017. Cup with rounded sides and everted rim, the footrim of "V" section with chamfered edge, the flat base showing a spiral finish and unglazed and burnt slightly orange-red in parts. The glaze is of a comparatively even, soft red of somewhat brownish tone, through which the turning... [Lire la suite]

Ewer with floral design, Ming dynasty, Hongwu period (1368-1398). Porcelain painted in copper red, Jingdezhen kilns, south China. Height: 36.9 cm. Purchased with the assistance of The Art Fund, the Vallentin Bequest, Sir Percival David and the Universities China Committee, C.857-1936 © Victoria and Albert Museum, London 2017. This ewer for wine is painted with a floral design using copper as a colourant. It has not fired successfully and in some places the colour has turned grey rather than the... [Lire la suite]