The Adin Museum Of Fairy Tale Artifacts proudly presents: The link between jewelry and food

Once upon a time... long, long ago, somewhere in the 15th century, there was a woman at the French court who introduced a trend that some 600 years later would bring Janet Jackson legal trouble (Google: nipplegate).

True, but we only have one charming reason to believe that the woman depicted in this 19th-century brooch/pendant is Agnès Sorel (1422–1450). Agnès Sorel was twenty years old when she was first introduced to King Charles. At that time, she held a position in the household of René I of Naples, Charles' brother-in-law. As reflected in art of the day, she was an extraordinarily beautiful young woman and extremely intelligent. The French king was immediately smitten by her charms and took her as his mistress; he even gave her the Château de Loches (where he had been persuaded by Joan of Arc to be crowned King of France) as her private residence. She entered the French court in 1444 and introduced the single bare-breasted décolletage, becoming a real trendsetter for many noble ladies following her example.

For reasons we do not know, several dishes are named after her (a notable one is the Agnès Sorel Cream Soup). She truly made an impact; not a bad achievement for a woman who lived so long ago for such a short period of time.

Click here for more information on this Victorian romantic brooch pendant with painted miniature on ivory and paste stones.