 |
| Temperance Dress Ornament Germany, Seventeenth C. The Victoria & Albert Museum |
This ornament of gold openwork is graced with a central female figure. She holds two goblets of water—an attribute of “Temperance.” She’s enameled in white, blue, green and black.
The work of an unknown goldsmith, it’s believed this jewel was made in Southern Germany between 1610 and 1620. The piece was likely made as a dress ornament and was probably sewn directly onto the fabric of the gown. It’s possible that this was one of a set of four such ornaments, each depicting the cardinal virtues of Prudence, Justice, Fortitude, and Temperance.
No comments:
Post a Comment