Mastery of Design: The Dame Joan Evans Diamond Spray Ornament

Spray Ornament, c. 1830
The Victoria & Albert Museum

We’ve seen many of Dame Joan Evans’ exceptional jewels which she bequeathed to the V&A. Today’s shiny thing was previously owned by Dame Evans. This spray ornament (sculpted in the form of a spray of flowers) is crafted of rose gold and is set with large rose-cut and brilliant-cut diamonds.


I have a real fondness for these spray ornaments. They were the height of fashion in the mid-Nineteenth Century as jewelry began to rely on natural motifs. This example comes from the 1830’s. It’s simply exquisite.