Tag Archives: design

Lot 334 in Fellows upcoming Jewellery sale on Thursday 9th May is a beautiful mid 19th century 18ct gold diamond brooch. The brooch by the renowned Parisian goldsmith François-Désiré Froment-Meurice (1802 – 1855) is indicative of his naturalistic and distinctive style which has been described as both Roccoco and Renaissance revival. His style is often seen as an indeterminate because of these influences and can comfortably be described as a precursor to the French Decorative Arts movement. Born at the beginning of the 19th century, Froment-Meurice is regarded as one of the most accomplished French goldsmiths of that century. He started working under his own name in the 1830s and soon became the go to jeweller of Parisian society and royalty. In 1845 Froment-Meurice was commissioned to create a toilette for Louise-Marie-Thérèse de Bourbon (the granddaughter of Charles X) on the occasion of her wedding to Prince de Lucque, the future Duke of Parma. He collaborated with the architect Duban;  sculptors Feuchère and Geoffroy-Dechaume, ornemaniste Liénard, and the enamellists Sollier, Grisée, Meyer-Heine to create this magnificent piece which is now housed at the Musee d’Orsay. Before being given to the Duchess it was exhibited at the 1851 Great Exhibition in London. It was lauded at the time for its use of different styles and international influence. Froment-Meurice exhibited at some of the other great international exhibitions of the mid-19th century, to great acclaim and winning medals. The stunning Froment-Meurice brooch François-Désiré Froment-Meurice died in 1855, at his most popular, and his son Emile took over the workshop some years later. Emile went on to exhibit at the Exposition Universelle in Paris in 1867, continuing his father Renaissance/ Rococo Revival style. This mid 19th century 18ct gold diamond brooch depicting a dragon with a rose cut diamond flame is Lot 334 in Fellow 9th May Jewellery auction with the estimate £1200 – £1800. It comes with a fitted case. The Jewellery sale is now available to view online and in person at the following times: 7 May 2019 10am – 4pm (Birmingham) 8 May 2019 10am – 4pm (Birmingham) 9 May 2019 8.30am – 10am (Birmingham) This blog was written by Nicola Whittaker, Business Development Manager at Fellows Auctioneers.