Bow-shaped Brooch 1784

This bow-shaped brooch was made by Adrianus Steen. The metal framework is encrusted with diamonds and catches the light. The visual experience of the bow is one of both rigid symmetry and organic form as the overall structure gives way to asymmetrical leaves and looping vines, evoking an emotional response from the viewer. The artist uses a clear semiotic system, in that the bow is often symbolic of attachment, unity and femininity, while also speaking to a structural elegance. When we consider the cultural associations of jewelry and the values connected to the decorative arts, the brooch raises questions about status and wealth. The diamonds, which adorn the piece, serve not just as aesthetic additions, but as cultural symbols and markers of economic power. Consider the way this brooch both embodies and destabilizes the meanings of adornment and value, not only through its materiality but through its visual structure. Art invites ongoing interpretation.