Funny Brooch with Chimpanzee made of Silver & Gold with Diamonds, c. 1900

In the second half of the 19th century, a type of jewellery never seen before emerged: so-called "novelty jewellery" caused a sensation with its new, surprising and previously unthinkable shapes and material combinations. All of a sudden, birds settled on swings and became earrings. Many everyday objects found their way onto the lapels of ladies and gentlemen - such as tennis rackets, golf clubs and stamps. The technical world was also reflected in this fashion: machines, automobiles en miniature and the new telephone were surprising focal points. This gold safety pin shows a chimpanzee made of silver and diamonds as a showpiece. The goldsmith used gemstones of different sizes for his design in order to cover the monkey's fur with diamonds. Two small rubies form the animal's eyes. The purpose of brooches like this was to create points of contact for conversation in society. At birthday parties, a brooch with the year of birth of the person being celebrated could be a friendly gesture, while a fox brooch could provide a fitting backdrop for a joint hunting trip. Even skulls with batteries glowing from their eyes were offered to add a macabre yet cheerful accent to a dinner party. You can find out more about this fascinating topic in Charlotte Gere/Judy Rudoe: Jewellery in the Age of Queen Victoria, London 2010, pp. 190-247.

Estimate:$2,207.42

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