10/20/2026
In the 18th century, jeweled bows evolved from the ribbons once used to secure ornaments to a woman’s bodice, becoming symbols of intimacy, affection, and courtly elegance.
This Georgian example features hand-cut clear paste stones set in silver, each backed with metallic foil to amplify its brilliance under candlelight. Far from simply imitating diamonds, paste was a celebrated art form in its own right, prized for its remarkable sparkle and the craftsmanship required to achieve it.
Turn the brooch over and you’ll find a beautifully patterned metal backing, designed to protect the delicate foil within. A small detail that speaks to the extraordinary care of 18th-century jewelers.
Discover this Georgian Paste Bow Brooch from Antiques Vol II and more on larkspurandhawk.com
Painting: Thomas Gainsborough, Frances Susanna, Lady de Dunstanville, c. 1786.