Empress Auguste Viktoria Brooch of Honour

Description:

Berlin around 1900, attributed to court jeweller H.J. Wilm
D 2,6 cm
21ct yellow gold (XRF tested), brooch 585/000 yellow gold. 17 diamond roses approx. 0.10ct medium quality, translucent red-orange enamel. Ligated monogram AV under German imperial crown. Original case.also with embossed monogram and crown of the Empress. Weight 6,3g.
Private collection, Northern Germany.
Literature:
City of Potsdam (ed.): Aus allerhöchsten Schatullen, Kaiserliche Geschenke, 2008. Type see pp. 36 and 37.
Brooches of this kind with the monogram of the emperor or empress were precious gifts of honour to selected persons.
The emperor or empress was first presented with a list of people who were eligible for such an honour. In the second step, one of the court jewellers was commissioned to produce a design. The designs were often provided with corrections by the emperor or empress. Only then was the piece of jewellery made. As most pieces of jewellery bear no hallmarks, it can be assumed that the gold was supplied by the court. A corresponding attribution is possible on the basis of the individual cases. The gifts of honour were often sent by post with an accompanying letter.