Diamond brooch, late 18th century

Cf.: Claire Phillips, Jewels and Jewellery, England, 2019, pg. 64, for an illustration of ornaments of similar design.

A similar set of jewels were commissioned in 1764 by Catherine the Great, who had 46 diamond leaf-shaped ornaments threaded onto ropes of Bohemian garnet beads. Whereas the present example has a brooch fitting set onto the reverse, the 46 jewels commissioned by Catherine had tiny tubes which later allowed for them to be sewn onto clothing.