Mask of Empress Eugenie of France surrounded with flowers and made with real hair (1867) – Edouard Wellin
Saturday, August 17, 2013
Sunday, August 4, 2013
"Diamond & enamel ring of the heavens" belonging to Marie Antoinette.
"Diamond & enamel ring of the heavens" belonging to Marie Antoinette.
In the late 18th century and into the 19th century, marquise rings set with diamonds on dark blue or red enamel backgrounds became fashionable in Europe. The oval (marquise bezel), and the rectangular (shuttle-shaped bezel) were the most popular shapes with diamonds set to imitate stars in the sky or floral sprays. It was charactersitic to frame these rings with a border of diamond sparks set in silver mounts. The blue enameled rings evoke celestial allusions; rings of this kind were called "bagues au firmament" (Rings of the Heavens).
Jean-Baptiste, baron REGNAULT (1754-1829) Vénus et Cupidon
Jean-Baptiste, baron REGNAULT (1754-1829) Vénus et Cupidon
Thursday, August 1, 2013
Gabriel-Christophe Guerin (French, 1790-1846), Self-portrait as a Prisoner, 1810
Gabriel-Christophe Guerin (French, 1790-1846), Self-portrait as a Prisoner, 1810