Jewelry M.S. Rau | Mellerio Stomacher Diamond Brooch

This Remarkable And Rare Circa 19Th Century Stomacher Brooch Showcases The Unparalleled Artistry Of Mellerio, The Oldest Jewelry Firm In France. Crowned By A Spray Of Diamond Flowerheads, Leaves And Buds, This Beautiful En Tremblant Brooch Moves With The Wearer, Creating Countless Light Refractions And Multiplying Its Brilliance. The Brooch Is Convertible; The Flowerhead Panel And Cascading Trellis-Work Section Can Each Be Worn Separately. The Resplendent Jewelry Piece Is Punctuated By Detachable Pear-Shaped Diamond Drops.

Meant To Draw The Eye And Elevate A Woman’S Ensemble And Status, Stomacher Trembler Brooches First Emerged In The 17Th Century. Grander In Size And Ornamentation Than Regular Brooches, These Decorative Pieces Were Often Worn In The Center Of A Woman’S Bodice.

As The Favored Jewelry Firm Of The Duc D’Orleans, In 1830, Mellerio Became The Official Jeweler To The French Crown. For The Next 40 Years, The Firm Remained The Jeweler Of The French Kings And Emperors. An Early Mellerio Brooch Of This Level Of Detail And Grandeur Is A Magnificent Rarity.

Founded In 1613, The French Firm Mellerio Was The Favored Jeweler Of Regal Clientele From The Medici Family To Marie Antoinette. Throughout The Centuries, The Firm Never Left The Favor Of The French Crown, And One Of Their Greatest 19Th-Century Patrons Was The Preeminent Fashion Icon Of Her Era, Empress Eugénie (1826-1920), The Wife Of Emperor Napoleon Iii. In 1862, The Firm Achieved Widespread Recognition When Millions Came To See Their Award-Winning Stomacher Brooches At The 1862 World’S Fair In London. After Their Astonishing Debut On The Global Stage, Jewelry Commissions, Specifically For Stomacher Brooches Like This One, Abounded. Mellerio Never Compromised Craftsmanship For Popularity, And Treasures Like This One Were Only Produced For The Most Prestigious Patrons.
Circa 1840-60

6″ High X 4″ Wide