I sorta like Once Upon a Time. Here are some sketches of some of the characters.
Front and Back!
Some beautiful pieces of jewelry with “finished” backs
German Tabernacle
ca 1180
Wood, Walnut and Elephant Ivory
Burmese Buddha Shrine
1850-1870
A set of jewelry owned by Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples
Also, incidentally, the sister of one Napoleon Bonaparte
Gold, Lapis Lazuli, Inlaid Chalcedony (Pietre Dure), ca 1808
“Peace” Brooch
Italian, ca 1850
Mosaic and Gold
Badge of the Order of the Elephant of Demark
Evrard Bapst 1822
Watch featuring an image of Saint George.
This piece was referred to as a “Lesser George” by the Met Museum. That seems to imply that it was intended to be a part of the vestments worn by a member of the Order of the Garter. It is “lesser” as compared to the “Great George,” a large three dimensional figure of Saint George worn about the neck. Most “Lesser George” figures are on a badge or watch.
George Nicholas Vallin 1600
18th Century European Snuff Boxes.
Joyeuse, the sword of Charlemagne. It was part of the regalia of the French royal family until the revolution, when it was stashed in the treasury of Saint-Denis.
It came to the Louvre in 1793, where it remains on permanent display to the public.
Gold, Steel, Glass beads, Silver, Gemstones, Velvet
Art Nouveau orchid brooch
Sevan Bicakci
Boucheron plique-a-jour fly brooch
Can we talk about Sven Bicakci?
His designs are so modern, but they have such a heavy, rough-hewn quality, too. I love that you can feel his heritage (Turkish) and city (Istanbul) in his lines and colors, and the crafting is perfectly imperfect, all while conveying this super traditional yet shockingly, audaciously bold presence.
I’m in love.
