French gold late Victorian early Art Nouveau bar brooch with pineapple motif

Antique jewelry object group: bar brooch

Country of origin: France

Style: late-Victorian early Art Nouveau
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Style specifics: early Art Nouveau - The subject of this piece, although typical 19th Century, announces the coming of the Art Nouveau style.

Period: ca. 1870
(events and facts in 1870)

Theme: pineapple

Material: 18K yellow gold
(more info on precious metals)

Extra information: Pineapple - Pineapple as Hospitality Symbol - In larger, well-to-do homes, the dining room doors were kept closed to heighten visitors' suspense about the table being readied on the other side. At the appointed moment, and with the maximum amount of pomp and drama, the doors were flung open to reveal the evening's main event. Visitors confronted with pineapple-topped food displays felt particularly honored by a hostess who obviously spared no expense to ensure her guests' dining pleasure.

In this manner, the fruit which was the visual keystone of the feast naturally came to symbolize the high spirits of the social events themselves; the image of the pineapple coming to express the sense of welcome, good cheer, human warmth and family affection inherent to such gracious home gatherings.

Pineapple as Artistic Motif - It is hardly surprising that this communal symbol of friendship and hospitality also became a favorite motif of architects, artisans and craftsmen throughout the colonies. They announced the hospitality of a mansion with carved wood or molded mortar pineapples on its main gate posts.

They also incorporated huge copper and brass pineapples in the weather vanes of their most important public buildings. They sculpted pineapples into door lintels; stenciled pineapples on walls and canvas mats; wove pineapples into tablecloths, napkins, carpets and draperies; and cast pineapples into metal hot plates. There were whole pineapples carved of wood; pineapples executed in the finest china kilns and pineapples painted onto the backs of chairs and tops of chests. From: http://www.levins.com/pineapple.html

Hallmarks: The French control mark for 18K gold representing a horse's head that was in use in France from about 1838.
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Condition: excellent condition
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Dimensions: width 6.34 cm (2.50 inch)

Weight: 9.20 gram (5.92 dwt)

Reference Nº: 10273-0001

Copyright photography: Adin, fine antique jewelry

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