DUVAL & LE TURCQ - Lot 66

DUVAL & LE TURCQ Beautiful orchid brooch in silver (800) and yellow gold (750), the petals fully enameled au naturel and hemmed with rose-cut diamonds. The heart and stem are pavé-set. Removable pin in yellow gold (750). Possible transformation with screw thread on the reverse. Goldsmith's hallmark: D*L. Circa 1890. Gross weight: 32.9 g. - 4.8 x 6.5 cm. One detached petal and numerous accidents and missing enamels. Georges LE TURCQ (b. 1859) and Julien DUVAL (b. 1865) associated between 1885 and 1894 and established at 113 boulevard de Sébastopol, Paris. In 1889, at the Exposition Universelle in Paris, LE TURCQ & DUVAL exhibited enameled jewelry, along with TIFFANY & Co, who unveiled a fine set of jewelry featuring enameled orchids. These pieces were a great success. This was the era of "Orchidemania" in all its forms, particularly in jewelry, which developed with the Art Nouveau movement.