Broche van gouddraad met bloem met hart van bloedkoraal c. 1940 - 1950

This gold wire brooch by Carel Theulings features a flower with a blood coral heart, but when it was made, exactly, remains a mystery. This adds to its intrigue, don’t you think? The materiality here is fascinating; the interplay of metal and stone, the textures created, the burnished gold and the smooth coral. The gold has a gentle gleam, while the coral centres have a darker energy - you can almost feel the weight and coolness of the material, or the way the colours would glow against fabric. Take a look at the spiral of gold thread on the upper right, notice how its delicacy contrasts with the thick outer circle. This brooch is more than a pretty adornment, it's a tiny world of contrasting lines and textures, and it brings to mind other jewellers like René Lalique, who combined the close observation of nature with highly crafted materials.