Lacloche Frères (Spanish, founded in 1875 (also working in Paris)), Japanesque brooch, French, about 1925. Platinum, gold, enamel, diamond, ruby, and onyx. Height x width x depth: 3.6 x 5.2 x 0.6 cm (1 7/16 x 2 1/16 x 1/4 in.). William Francis Warden Fund, 2009.2533 © 2017 Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

The brooch is designed as a pave-set, diamond rectangular plaque with onyx branches and buff-top ruby blossoms with a black enamel border. The diamonds are old, European cuts (est. carats 11.25) and the horizontal pin is removable. The brooch has its original Lacloche box. There is also a card printed “Marlborough House S.W.1 and a handwritten note “For Angela from Mary R, 1952.” The date suggests that it was a wedding gift from Queen Mary to Angela Lascelles on her marriage to Hon. Gerald Lascelles, second son of Princess Mary and a grandson of George V. 

Signed: The brooch has a fitted, pink leather case signed Lacloche Freres, no. 66252. 

Markings: Lacloche Freres (in block letters along back right side). French assay marks for platinum (dog's head) and gold (eagle's head) on lower right gallery and armature. Engraved C6252 (or CG252) and scratch marks 23355/?symbols (?cost code) on underside.

Provenance: 1952, gift of Queen Mary of England (1867-1953), wife of H.M. George V (1865-1936), to Hon. Mrs. Angela Lascelles (1919-2007) on the occassion of her wedding to Hon. Gerald Lascelles, a first cousin of the Queen; 2007, sold at auction by Christie's London (12 December 2007) to Hancocks & Co. Ltd. (London jewelry dealer); purchased from Hancocks & Co. Ltd. by MFA (Accession date: June 17, 2009)

Lot 75. An exquisite diamond, ruby and onyx brooch, by Lacloche. Estimate GBP 10,000 - GBP 15,000 (USD 20,420 - USD 30,630). Price realised GBP 24,500 (USD 50,029) © Christie’s Images Limited 2007.

Designed as a pavé-set diamond rectangular plaque with buff-top ruby flowers to the onyx branches and black enamel border,circa 1925, 5.2 x 3.6 cm, with French assay marks for platinum and gold, in fitted pink leather case. Signed Lacloche Frères, No. 66252

Note: The case with card printed Marlborough House S.W.1. and handwritten note For Angela from Mary R, 1952.
Mary R was Queen Mary (1867-1953), wife of H.M. George V (1865-1936).

Lacloche was especially known for their exquisite snuff boxes, vanity cases, lipstick holders and powder compacts as well as brooches and bracelets often strongly influenced by the Japanese Style using jade, mother-of-pearl, enamel, lacquer, coral and enamel. This brooch is a fine example of their intricate floral designs. 

Christie's. Jewellery, 12 December 2007, London, King Street