18th century devant-de-corsage

A Portuguese harlequin gem devant-de-corsage, circa 1715. A devant-de-corsage was a striking jewel worn in the 18th century on the bodice of a dress, eye catching on formal court attire or ballgowns. Like the tiara it was a jewel pre-eminently suited to expressing social status. This articulated devant-de-corsage is silver and set with a sunshine array of topaz and hessonite garnets in shades of peach, marigold and pomegranate, all gems in foiled and closed back settings. There are approximately 55 to 60 carats of topaz in total. Portuguese jewellers set the gems to refract light and accentuate colour, creating a fairylike reflection. The piece comes with provenance. It is from the private collection of the late Ginny Dawes, author of the publication Georgian Jewellery. It is illustrated both front and back on pages 181 and 173 of that book.  The corsage, is 3 and 1/2 inches wide across the top and 3 and 1/8 inches in length. Pieces like this from the iconic publication Georgian Jewellery and Ginny’s personal collection will only come my way once.
sold

Item ref : GD1

illustrated below in Georgian Jewellery

Portrait of the Queen of Portugal wearing a devant-de-corsage, circa 1732