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Why did floral decoration become especially popular in 17th-century jewelry?
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jewelry
Stomacher brooch with emeralds and enamel flowers on gold, from the treasure of the Virgin of Pilar, mid-17th century; in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.
The popularity of floral decoration in 17th-century jewelry was primarily driven by a widespread cultural vogue for the cultivation of flowers, which emerged alongside advancements in horticulture during an era of global exploration and commerce.12
This trend was further supported by two key factors:
- Technical Advancements: Improvements in the cutting and faceting of precious stones allowed designers to better execute intricate naturalistic motifs.2
- Stylistic Evolution: As the Renaissance style transitioned into the Baroque period, there was a significant shift away from figurative decoration toward floral and foliate ornament.2
Initially, these designs were crafted using openwork gold jewelry often accented with enamel. As the century progressed, diamonds and other gemstones became the central elements of these compositions, reflecting the period's growing fascination with the brilliance of faceted stones.2