Tag: Objects of Virtue

Objects of Virtue from the Houses of Boucheron and Cartier

A Boucheron silver and silver gilt ruby set powder compact and lipstick case

The French Houses of Boucheron and Cartier were not only famous for their jewellery but also for Objects of Virtue during the late 19th and 20th centuries.

Over the millennia silver and gold have been used to create the finest objects of virtue. I am often asked what an Object of Virtue is. The term comes from the French Objets de vertu and describes pieces made in gold, silver, enamel, bronze, ormolu, glass, porcelain, semi-precious stones, etc which are valued for their artistic virtuosity

As the 19th century drew to a close Victorian tastes were reinterpreted in lighter more delicate styles influenced by France’s Belle Époque which spanned from the late 19th century up until the start of the Great War in 1914. It was characterised by optimism, regional peace, economic prosperity, scientific and technological advances and an era where the arts flourished influencing the tastes of other nations including our own. Objects of Virtue from the period combine opulence with graceful lines set with a variety of gems or enamels. Its influence continued to be felt throughout the 20th century.

Amongst the leading designers and makers of the 20th century was the house of Boucheron. This French firm represents a family dynasty founded by Frederic Boucheron in 1858 who opened his first store in the Galerie de Valois at Palais Royal in Paris. The cornerstone of Boucheron’s reputation for making pieces of the finest quality was seeded in 1866 when he won a Gold Medal at the Paris Exposition Universelle in 1867. Throughout the 20th century the house of Boucheron remained one of the world’s great jewellery designers and makers. Queen Elizabeth II had a collection of Boucheron jewellery. Louis Cartier was also considered a master. In the early years of the 20th century Cartier opened his shop in London.

A Cartier sterling silver and varicoloured enamel basket of flowers

The Boucheron silver and silver gilt, ruby set powder compact and lipstick case displays the house’s virtuosity with their flowing pierced leaf scrolls, flowers and ruby cabochons. The joyful Cartier silver and enamel flower filled basket was just 8cm high. It was so precious to its former custodian had restored it. They realised £600 and £480 in Toovey’s specialist Objects of Virtue sales.

It seems to me that objects that we consider to be truly beautiful are amongst the most precious in our lives. After all it is part of our human purpose to make beauty in the world and it is therefore surely right that we should celebrate it.

Toovey’s Strike Gold with Australian Sculptures

A mid-20th century Australian varicoloured gold and gem set figure group, titled ‘Satin Bower Birds Ptilonorhynchus violaceus’, by S.A. Schagen

Toovey’s have just sold two Australian gold sculptures of two Satin Bowerbirds and a Koala for £238,500 in their August specialist objects of virtue sale.

These finely modelled sculptures were entered by a Sussex based private collector. He had inherited them from his late father, a proud Australian, who purchased them new in the1960s. Art has the power to unite us with our roots, heritage and home. Over the millennia silver and gold have been used to create the finest objects of virtue. I am often asked what an Object of Virtue is. The term comes from the French Objets de vertu and describes pieces made in gold, silver, enamel, bronze, ormolu, glass, porcelain, semi-precious stones, etc which are valued for their artistic virtuosity.

There was virtuosity in the impressive mid-20th century Australian varicoloured gold figure group, titled ‘Satin Bowerbirds Ptilonorhynchus violaceus’ by S.A. Schagen which was very finely modelled. The detail and composition was superb. The sculpture measured 52cm wide and made £200,000. It depicted a courtship display between a male dancing with wings outspread, and a female bird standing in her nest or bower made of a bed of sticks. The scene was given life with a scattering of shells, opals and agates, and two platinum and sapphire feathers. The Satin Bowerbird is a native of the forest habitats of Australia’s East Coast and New Guinea. Mature males have violet-blue eyes and are uniformly black in colour whereas the female birds are a distinctive green-brown.

A mid-20th century Australian gold model of a Koala bear by S.A. Schagen

The emblematic Koala, a herbivorous marsupial, lives in the coastal regions of southern and eastern Australia. Although often called Koala Bears they are actually closely related to Kangaroos and other marsupials with pouches to nurture their young. Remarkably they feed on poisonous eucalyptus leaves. The endearing sculpture of a seated Koala was also beautifully detailed. With his typical fluffy ears he had a slightly surprised look on his face. Measuring just 10cm high he realised £38,500.

Australia was cut off from the rest of the world for some 30 million years which allowed so many unique species to evolve, species which speak into Australia’s identity like these sculptures.

Toovey’s specialist, William Rowsell, is delighted with the results for these sculptures. He is already looking forward to his autumn Objects of Virtue sale and inviting entries.