David Andersen Enamel Butterfly Brooch Vintage Jewelry Scandinavian Design

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David Andersen Enamel Butterfly Brooch Vintage Jewelry Scandinavian Design :
$185.00

David Andersen Enamel Butterfly Brooch Vintage Jewelry Basse Taille Sterling Modernist Scandinavian Design Made in NorwayCondition: EXCELLENT; no loss to enamel; no dents, no issues with clasp; some tarnish on reverse
Date Range: 1950s
Dimensions: Height, 1 1/8;” Width, 2 1/8\"
Maker: David-Andersen; Hallmarked 925 for sterling

NOTE: The brooch is a bit of a shape-shifter color-wise, depending on lighting and angle, especially so for the yellow-orange on the wings.

Gorgeous jewel tones and exquisite artistry combine in this striking brooch from David Andersen of Denmark. Featuring superb midcentury design, this piece blends cerulean blue, red violet, bright green and orange to color the luminous wings and black outlining and curved strokes to accent wings. You can also see a bit of subtle whimsy in the curlicue antennae that connect the head and each wing that adds an enchanting finishing touch.

Signed D-A (for David Andersen), Norway Sterling 925S with the scale emblem.

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DAVID-ANDERSEN, BASSE-TAILLE AND GUILLOCHE ENAMEL TECHNIQUES

Among the many thing for which modernist Norwegian jewelry designers are known is exceptionally skilled handling of guilloche and related enameling techniques. The l9th century company David-Andersen has been well represented in this regard, achieving astonishing results in the design and production of jewelry featuring these methods. For the most part, precious metals such as sterling silver or gold make up the other half of the materials equation in these pieces.

The basse-taille process is viewed as an extension of the sophisticated enameling technique known as guilloche. A term that translates to \"engine turning,\" guilloche is actually a type of engraving process used to create ornamental patterns on base metal in jewelry making. Grooves carved into metal are filled with enamel of varying colors and opacities, creating depth and dimension.

Basse-taille is a two-part method that refines the engraving channels created with guilloche. The basse-taille technique enhances the reflective character of enamel in a way that has been likened to sunlight streaming through a stained glass window. Without going too far into the details, this technique produces additional cutaway areas or \"low relief\" within the guilloche channels that, when filled with translucent enamel, create highlights and deeper hues.

The translucency of the enamel used at the basse-taille stage reveals facets of the low relief pattern and also amplifies the reflective qualities of the gold or silver metal jewelry casing that holds it all together.