18th century Portuguese topaz flower head

An unusually large and sumptuous silver and multi-coloured topaz flower head, circa 1780. Probably originally designed as a hair ornament, it now has a brooch fitting and my jeweller will add a removable pendant fitting to the brooch pin. Portuguese jewellers cut gems in the new, exciting colour palettes which came from their ultramarine colony in Brazil, to refract light and achieve vibrancy and sparkle, especially by candlelight. This flowerhead is set with topaz in shades of lemon, rose pink and peach, all gems in foiled and closed back settings. The piece comes with provenance. It is from the collection of the late Ginny Dawes, author of the publication Georgian Jewellery. The flower is illustrated on page 175 of Georgian Jewellery. It measures 1 and 3/4 inches by 1 and 3/4 inches and is vibrant and immaculate.

sold
Item ref : GD4

illustrated on page 175 of Georgian Jewellery below

Similar 18th century flower jewels in the Lisbon Museum below