Sothesby auctioned off a wonderful collection of twenty-three design sketches for jewellery clearly made for the upper class. The sketches date back to the third quarter of the 18th century which would place it in the reign of Louis XV. According to the curators of Sothesby it is likely that these were intended to be distributed among goldsmiths in Paris. Also they are most likely drawn in the size they would be produced in.
The drawings are thought to be the work of Vander Cruycen. Some of his other designs are housed in Vienna which meant that the curators could compare them.
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| A bow-shaped stomacher brooch and bouquets for the bodice or hair |
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Frame for a miniature with militaristic decoration, a shoe-buckle and several
buttons |
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Another military-inspired miniature frame and several pendants - the official
website of Sothesby does not mention it but to me the top chain looks like
either a bracelet or a necklace |
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A stomacher brooch, a chatelaine (with what appears to be room for a miniature),
two flower bouquets and two smaller pendants |
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One large aigrette with a bow and a tassel suspended from it, one stomacher
brooch and four brooches that could be attached to the sleeves, hat or bodice |
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| Three designs for girandole earrings and pendants |
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| Miniature frame and four bouquets to be attached to the hair or bodice |
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One frame for a miniature portrait, one bow-shaped stomacher brooch and
two bow-shaped earrings |
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| Three chatelaines, a snuffbox and two flower bouquets |
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These are aigrettes which were pinned to the elaborate hairdos - in the centre
is a button which could be attached to the sleeve, hat or bodice |
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| Girandole earrings and a few small ornaments |
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| Ornaments for the bodice and sleeves |
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Detail of a design for the Order of the Golden Fleece - it is believed to be
the work of Vander Cruycen |
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| Richly adorned sword hilt with several designs for clasps (for orders) |
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| An impressive stomacher mainly decorated with flowers |
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The two orders marked with red are the Order of the White Eagle (Poland)
and the Order of Malta. Also, a diamond chain that either would have been
attached to a lady's bodice or laid on a gentleman's shoulders. |
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A large bow-shaped stomacher brooch, another large stomacher brooch,
three smaller bouquets |
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| Two large ornaments for the bodice, two bouquets and two smaller pendants |
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A bouquet intended to be worn either on the bodice or in the hair and six
pendants including one shaped like a butterfly |
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| Miniature frames |
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| Two frames for portrait miniatures |
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| A stomacher brooch in the shape of a bow, two pendants and a snuffbox |
