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René Lalique "Four Damselflies" Brooch Diadem
Created circa 1905-1908, this “quatre demoiselles” or four damselfly brooch/diadem is composed of enamel, aquamarines, diamonds and 18K gold. The jewel is designed as damselflies with plique-à-jour enamel wings accented here and there by foils and by diamond bands, with translucent basse taille and paillonné enamel bodies, perching on a slightly curved branch of deep blue marquise and graduated cailbré-cut aquamarines. Lalique conjures a luminous natural scene of transience and delicacy, informed by Japanese art, with sophisticated techniques that elevated the artist’s powers of suggestion.
- Product Details
- Curator's Notes
Item #: YBO-21553
Artist: René Lalique
Country: France
Circa: 1905-1908
Dimensions: 1.75" length, 5.5" width.
Materials: One marquise and 33 calibré-cut aquamarines; 16 rose-cut diamonds (approximate total weight 0.15 carats); Enamel; 18K Gold
Signed: LALIQUE
Literature: A sketch for similar diadem formed of two insects is pictured in René Lalique: Schmuck und Objets d’Art, 1890-1910, Sigrid Barten, p. 178, cat no. 40.
Insects are ubiquitous in Japanese art throughout history, and many of Lalique's jewels represent an homage to Japanese art and aesthetics, whose influence transformed French art in the 1890s with a new spirit of naturalism. Recognizing the impact their culture had had on the Art Nouveau, Japanese collectors have long appreciated Lalique's work for h. The Lalique Museum in Hakone, Japan, houses 1500 of the artist's creations, including "more than two hundred precious jewels", 30-40 of which are on permanent display. These include early landscape, floral, and symbolist themed jewels.