Lalique Fern Brooch

Hovering in a case in the Walters Museum is a large brooch that once graced the bodice of a fortunate Belle Epoque woman. In 1903 this jewel was a cutting edge design. The magnificent iridescent glass leaves, underlaid by enameled ones, are as important as the opal and the diamond stems. Lalique was one of those responsible for the world realizing that the value of jewelry no longer depended solely on the size of diamonds or the amount of gold. A heart-stoppingly beautiful design and exquisite craftsmanship could be just as important.