Broche c. 1908 - 1911

This brooch was made with gold, sapphire, and diamond by Lodewijk Willem van Kooten the second. The reflective gold really makes me think about how we perceive value in art, you know? It’s all about the materials, the labor, the rarity. The first thing I noticed are these tiny diamonds, which are really subtle. They make me think about these little accidents in paintings, these quirks that just barely catch your eye. I like the little bit of structure, the way he set these things in place. And then the central sapphire gives it a punch, like a focal point. I find I'm drawn to that center sapphire. It's like a concentrated moment in the whole piece, anchoring everything. You can see it clearly because there is a lighter stone either side. It's not just about pretty gems, it's about how he puts all of these elements together, makes the whole thing sing. To me, it’s all about the conversation between the different stones and the gold.