Broche c. 1908 - 1911

This brooch was crafted by Lodewijk Willem van Kooten II. Just imagine Willem bent over his workbench, delicately working to bring this piece into being. He carefully selected the golden metal, imbuing it with swirling motifs like he’s trying to capture a breeze. Then there are the striking sapphires, like captured moments of midnight, carefully placed to draw the eye. It's not just jewelry; it's Willem's way of seeing the world, translating the beautiful forms of nature into something wearable. It reminds me a little of the work of René Lalique, who also transformed jewelry into miniature sculptures. Thinking about Willem’s careful hand, you realize that every little detail is an experiment. It’s the artist asking, "What if I did this? What if I tried that?" That spirit of play makes the work more than just something pretty.