Broche met korenbloemen c. 1904 - 1906

This brooch, made by René Lalique, combines precious materials, like diamonds, with less conventional ones like enamel. The choice of enamel is significant. Lalique embraced it for its capacity to create pictorial effects, emulating painting within jewelry. Here, the enamel is worked in shades of blue and green, suggesting the depths of a pond, or a field of cornflowers – the very image invoked by the brooch’s title. Enamelwork demands meticulous skill. Each layer of powdered glass must be fired at a specific temperature, building up the design in relief. This process allowed Lalique to merge the traditions of goldsmithing with those of glassmaking, blurring the lines between fine art and craft. By highlighting the inherent qualities of materials and exploring the techniques required to manipulate them, Lalique elevated the status of jewelry, proving that beauty and artistry could be found in unexpected places.