Monday, January 16, 2017

Baroque Adornments

Necklace
enameled-gold bow with diamonds and pearls, ca. 1660
chain and large sapphire added in the 19th century
formerly owned by pre-Raphaelite figure, Lady Alma-Tadema
Victoria & Albert Museum, London

By Thetis' tinsel-slippered feet,
And the songs of Sirens sweet;
By dead Parthenope's dear tomb,
And fair Ligea's golden comb,
Wherewith she sits on diamond rocks
Sleeking her soft alluring locks . . .

Pendant-Bow
Western Europe
ca. 1630-60
enameled gold, rubies, pearl
Victoria & Albert Museum, London

By the rushy-fringed bank,
Where grows the willow and the osier dank,
     My sliding chariot stays,
Thick set with agate, and the azurn sheen
Of turkish blue, and emerald green,
          That in the channel strays . . .

Earring
Italy
ca. 1660
enameled gold, rubies
Victoria & Albert Museum, London

Virgin, daughter of Locrine,
Sprung of old Anchises' line,
May thy brimmed waves for this
Their full tribute never miss
From a thousand pretty rills,
That tumble down the snowy hills;
Summer drought or singed air
Never scorch thy tresses fair,
Nor wet October's torrent flood
Thy molten crystal fill with mud;
May thy billows roll ashore
The beryl, and the golden ore;
May thy lofty head be crowned
With many a tower and terrace round,
And here and there thy banks upon
With groves of myrrh and cinnamon.

 from Comus : a masque presented at Ludlow Castle, 1634  by John Milton

Pomander
Germany
early 17th century
enameled gold, pearls
Victoria & Albert Museum, London

Pendant
Italy
17th century
agate cameo, enameled gold, pearl
Marcus Curtius leaping into the chasm
Victoria & Albert Museum, London

Reliquary-Cross
France
ca. 1630
enameled-gold, turquoises, pearls
Victoria & Albert Museum, London

Ornament
Western Europe
ca. 1640-50
enameled gold, rock-crystals, garnets
Victoria & Albert Museum, London

Pendant
Spain
ca. 1680-1700
gold openwork, emeralds
Victoria & Albert Museum, London

Pendant
Western Europe
ca. 1650-75
enameled silver, rock-crystals, glass
Victoria & Albert Museum, London

Brooch
Germany
ca. 1610-20
enameled gold, diamond, pearls
Victoria & Albert Museum, London

Pendant-Cross
England
ca. 1610-20
gold, enamels, diamond, rubies, pearl
Victoria & Albert Museum, London

Reliquary-Pendant
Spain
early 17th century
onyx cameo, silver-gilt openwork
Victoria & Albert Museum, London

Ring
Italy
ca. 1640-60
enameled gold, pearls, engraved garnet
Victoria & Albert Museum, London

Pendant
Western Europe
late 17th century
enameled gold, sapphires, rubies, emeralds, diamonds
Victoria & Albert Museum, London