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the B E J E W E L E D O C T O P U S
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"Inestimable stones, unvalued jewels, all scatter'd in the bottom of the sea. . ."
Shakespeare, Richard III, Act I, Scene IV
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I've always loved images of the octopus in art. Besides being one of the most intelligent cephalopods, the octopus, with its eight tentacles, lends itself to a number of sinuous and graceful forms -- some of which are captured here in sparkling gems and rhinestones worthy of any undersea trove.
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Modern octopus brooch in lavender rhinestones and hematite-toned metal, by Pell. This design is unusual because of the assymetrical "reaching" pose and the use of baguettes to define the tentacles. Not just your ordinary pin -- has some artistic integrity, à mon avis. |
| Whimsy brooch in pink and white enamel with rhinestone accents. I WANT this brooch. Signed MB. If you have it, please contact me. Photo courtesy of Costume Jewelry by Harrice Simons Miller, 1994. |
Photo by Kenneth Chen
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| This brooch was sold by Sothebys, as "a colored stone and diamond octopus brooch [by] Martin Katz," with an estimate of $10,000-15,000. I love this colorful jewel-encrusted octopus, clutching its fish. Image via Sotheby's. |
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Photo by Chris Astley
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This stunning jewel-encrusted octopus brooch by Kenneth J. Lane appears to have been influenced by the Martin Katz brooch above -- or perhaps both were influenced by a third source. This image is from the In Style Website where this brooch may be purchased for $225. If you can't afford 15,000, this may actually be a bargain. |
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Circa 1900. Brooch by Wilhelm Lucas von Cranach, entitled "Tintenfisch und Schmetterling" (Octopus and Butterfly). One may well wonder what provoked von Cranach to combine a creature from under the sea with a creature of the air. This brooch, currently in the collection of the Jewellery Museum at Pforzheim, incorporates diamonds, enamel, rubies, amethysts, and a topaz. It is centered around a truly amazing set of baroque pearls (and notice that the "head" pearl actually has an "eye" -- a tiny round pearl embedded in the matrix.) Shows influences of both Art Nouveau and Renaissance design. Image courtesy of Art Nouveau Jewelry by Vivienne Becker, 1985. |
| Brooch by Louis Aucoc in gold and diamonds with plique-a-jour enamel water and a baroque pearl. Aphrodite, or a sea-maiden, reclines on a shell, accompanied by a suspended octopus with ruby eyes. France, c. 1900. René Lalique apprenticed with Aucoc. From Art Nouveau Jewelry by Vivienne Becker, 1985. |
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