A GOLD AND DIAMOND BLACKAMOOR...
A GOLD AND DIAMOND BLACKAMOOR BROOCH, CIRCA 1955
The carved ebony head of a man, the tunic with floral engraving and round brilliant-cut diamond accents, the turban embellished with further engraved scrolling decorations, with similarly-cut diamond accents and a seed pearl, the reverse with further engraved decorations, mounted in silver and gold, Italian assay mark, French assay mark, length 3.6cm
The blackamoor is a decorative motif depicting exoticized figures of African men typically dressed in turbans and adorned with rich jewels and gold leaf. The motif is a Venetian tradition, dating back to the Early Modern period when it emerged as an artistic response to the European encounter with the Moors the dark-skinned Muslims from North Africa and the Middle East who came to occupy various parts of Europe. In recent history the blackamoor has been a source of controversy, however, it is considered to be a collectible within the art world. Notable collectors and wearers of blackamoor jewellery are the late Vogue editor Diana Vreeland and the former director of the Museum of African Diaspora in San Francisco, Denise Bradley Tyson. Every time I wear one, Tyson says, they always provoke a response and provide me with an opportunity to educate about the history of the Moors.
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A GOLD AND DIAMOND BLACKAMOOR BROOCH, CIRCA 1955
The carved ebony head of a man, the tunic with floral engraving and round brilliant-cut diamond accents, the turban embellished with further engraved scrolling decorations, with similarly-cut diamond accents and a seed pearl, the reverse with further engraved decorations, mounted in silver and gold, Italian assay mark, French assay mark, length 3.6cm
The blackamoor is a decorative motif depicting exoticized figures of African men typically dressed in turbans and adorned with rich jewels and gold leaf. The motif is a Venetian tradition, dating back to the Early Modern period when it emerged as an artistic response to the European encounter with the Moors the dark-skinned Muslims from North Africa and the Middle East who came to occupy various parts of Europe. In recent history the blackamoor has been a source of controversy, however, it is considered to be a collectible within the art world. Notable collectors and wearers of blackamoor jewellery are the late Vogue editor Diana Vreeland and the former director of the Museum of African Diaspora in San Francisco, Denise Bradley Tyson. Every time I wear one, Tyson says, they always provoke a response and provide me with an opportunity to educate about the history of the Moors.
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