Gifts of Grandeur: A Pair of Boucheron Earclips, 1963

The Victoria & Albert Museum



In 1963, the famed jewelers at Boucheron created these earclips of gold, platinum, turquoises and diamonds. An elegant, timeless design, they could have fit in with any outfit of almost any time period, but they are clearly inspired by the jewels of the 1820s.

Masterpiece of the Week: A Pair of Earclips, 1963

The Victoria & Albert Museum



In 1963, the famed jewelers at Boucheron created these earclips of gold, platinum, turquoises and diamonds. An elegant, timeless design, they could have fit in with any outfit of almost any time period, but they are clearly inspired by the jewels of the 1820s.

The Home Beautiful: The Boucheron Hand Mirror, 1860-65

Hand Mirror
Boucheron, 1860-1865
Enameled Gold, Diamonds, Rubies and Pearls
Presented to Queen Mary and King George V
Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection 
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Made by Boucheron between 1860 and 1865, this hand mirror glistens with a frame of gold, enamel, pearls, rubies and diamonds.  

The mirror was presented to George V and Queen Mary, while still Prince and Princess of Wales, by the Aga Khan.  Before that, the mirror was exhibited at the Paris Exhibition of 1867 where it was purchased  by the Earl of Dudley.

This oval hand mirror features a faceted beveled edge and gold enameled frame set with scalloped flat-cut ruby collets. The outer border is set with a red and green enameled honey suckle pattern with pearls set in rose diamond acanthus cups, with pearls between. The top of the mirror boasts a diamond fleur-de-lys. A pierced gold, scrollwork handle is set with rubies, diamonds and pearls, and showcases heart-shaped shields of painted enamel and enamel bars.

This mirror was enameled by Armand-Désir Riffault (1832-1872), a jeweler and enameller who worked for Boucheron.  Riffault famously crafted elegant objects for the Paris exhibition of 1867.

According to the curators of the Royal Collection, “This mirror, enameled by Riffault for the 1867 exhibition in the Renaissance style, won praise from the officials and the press and Riffault, together with Boucheron, were awarded a 'Médaille de bronze' for it.”

Mastery of Design: The Boucheron Hand Mirror, 1860-65

Hand Mirror
Boucheron, 1860-1865
Enameled Gold, Diamonds, Rubies and Pearls
Presented to Queen Mary and King George V
Crown Copyright
The Royal Collection
Image Courtesy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II

Made by Boucheron between 1860 and 1865, this hand mirror glistens with a frame of gold, enamel, pearls, rubies and diamonds.  

The mirror was presented to George V and Queen Mary, while still Prince and Princess of Wales, by the Aga Khan.  Before that, the mirror was exhibited at the Paris Exhibition of 1867 where it was purchased  by the Earl of Dudley.

This oval hand mirror features a faceted beveled edge and gold enameled frame set with scalloped flat-cut ruby collets. The outer border is set with a red and green enameled honey suckle pattern with pearls set in rose diamond acanthus cups, with pearls between. The top of the mirror boasts a diamond fleur-de-lys.  A pierced gold, scrollwork handle is set with rubies, diamonds and pearls, and showcases heart-shaped shields of painted enamel and enamel bars.

This mirror was enameled by Armand-Désir Riffault (1832-1872), a jeweler and enameller who worked for Boucheron.  Riffault famously crafted elegant objects for the Paris exhibition of 1867.

According to the curators of the Royal Collection, “This mirror, enameled by Riffault for the 1867 exhibition in the Renaissance style, won praise from the officials and the press and Riffault, together with Boucheron, were awarded a 'Médaille de bronze' for it.”

Mastery of Design: The Lady Abbingdon Cigarette Case, 1963

Cigarette Case
Boucheron, 1963
This and all related images from:
The Victoria & Albert Museum

By the later decades of the Twentieth Century, as people realized that cigarette smoking was not as healthful as once thought, the demand for luxurious accessories related to smoking, naturally, diminished.  Nevertheless, high-end jewelers continued to create such accessories for special clients.

This cigarette case was created at Boucheron, London in May 1963 for £300 for Bettine, Lady Abingdon.  The rectangular gold case is adorned with basket weave design and with the applied monogram of Elizabeth (Bettine), Countess of Abingdon

The case in inscribed:  “MADE IN FRANCE, 5031/BOUCHERON.”

Masterpiece of the Week: A Pair of Earclips, 1963



The Victoria & Albert Museum



In 1963, the famed jewelers at Boucheron created these earclips of gold, platinum, turquoises and diamonds. An elegant, timeless design, they could have fit in with any outfit of almost any time period, but they are clearly inspired by the jewels of the 1820s.