Jewellery, Watches, Silver and Objects of Vertu

A pair of fine late 19th century French studs by Frédéric Boucheron, the oval damascene steel plaques with highly decorative vari-coloured Mannerist style gold and metal inlay, depicting formal figural scenes including birds and animals, with scroll and arabesque detailing, mounted in gold, French assay marks, lozenge maker’s marks, with Boucheron case, plaque dimensions 28 x 21mm. £800-£1,200

This style of metalwork originated in Damascus, hence its name, and is thought to date back to 700 AD. The process involves inlaying different metals, usually gold or silver, into a darkly oxidized steel background, to create intricate patterns similar to niello. It is likely that the damascene plaques in this lot are by the French engraver Jean-Claude Tissot (1811-1889).