Brochette van goud met rode synthetische corund c. 1943 - 1953

Curator: I'm struck by the simple elegance, almost austerity, of this piece. A gilded bow with sharp edges is softened by organic botanical flourishes. Editor: You've keyed into that intriguing contrast already! We're looking at what's called "Brochette van goud met rode synthetische corund" crafted somewhere between 1943 and 1953 by the artist P.A. van der Griend. It is constructed from gold and a synthetic red corundum. What do you think, from your iconographic perspective? Curator: That ruby red! It anchors the eye immediately. Red's a powerful signifier, right? Depending on where you are, it is passion, danger, love, or revolution. And set against that gold, it feels like royalty, even though the stone isn’t necessarily precious. It evokes classic notions of wealth and power without the weighty excess. Editor: Exactly! It dances on that knife's edge, doesn’t it? It’s not trying to be over-the-top but wants you to stop and recognize. Notice those delicate, stylized leaves capping each end, and that little sphere? It nods towards a return to nature at its core. Do you see these floral ornaments channeling, through time, a certain kind of classical continuity? Curator: Most definitely! It's decorative art that suggests not ostentatious but refined expression. The symmetry of the broach lends itself to a composed, orderly mindset. I could see a woman during those war years subtly using a piece like this to express her style with sophistication. A single point of individuality, do you think? Editor: Indeed, these gems take us on unexpected paths to beauty; perhaps beauty as quiet fortitude. Looking at this, I am drawn to the fact that Van der Griend clearly thought it important to work precious material to achieve timeless allure through metalworking and artistry, irrespective of history bearing down outside his or her workshop. What lasting impact did this exploration into jewelry impart, in your view? Curator: It prompts us to reconsider how small objects might embody huge stories; a symbol not just of elegance, but of resilience during periods of hardship, where even small works of beauty serve as anchors.