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Floriography, or the ‘language of flowers,’ was an historical practice which used specific flowers to convey coded messages, emotions or sentiments, peaking in popularity during the Victorian era. In Victorian floriography, white carnations symbolised pure love and new beginnings, and a white carnation historically meant the acceptance of a marriage proposal.

English aristocrat and poet Lady Mary Wortley Montague is credited with starting the floriography craze. Married to the English ambassador to Turkey, letters she wrote from Constantinople in 1717 and 1718 discussed a mysterious language of love and gallantry’ and described the Turkish selam — a secret flower language used by harem women to communicate under the noses. Subsequently floral dictionaries began appearing in England and France to decode the meanings of flowers. This brooch, circa 1840, is 18 carat gold and silver and in the form of two carnations tied with a ribbon. There are approximately 8 carats of old-cut diamonds in total. It measures 2 and 1/4 inches by 1 and 1/4 inches and is in its original fitted case. Utterly beautiful piece and immaculate.

sold
Item ref : NM5