The ‘Tree’ motif has been interpreted over ten years by craftsmen and designers, who have drawn inspiration from centuries of art movements.
Left, Bonsai Brooch (BR2007), in palisander wood and Bakelite, set with seven pear-shape diamonds totalling 7.06-ct. Mounted in platinum and 18-ct rose gold. Right, Diamond Tree Brooch (R2006), set with eight pear-shape diamonds totalling 8.10-ct. Mounted in platinum, 18-ct rose gold and ceramic
'Our design studio’s constant reinvention of the Tree brooch form caught the imagination of collectors from the start', says Patti Wong, founder and chairman of Sotheby’s Diamonds. 'In the ten years since the collection’s inception, it has turned into our best-loved design.'
Left, Spring Tree Brooch (BR2020), in yellow jadeite, set with five pear-shape diamonds totalling 5.10-ct and purple sapphires. Mounted in 18-ct white gold and 18-ct yellow gold. Right, Padparadscha Branch Brooch (BR2022), in hand carved Whitby jet, set with sapphires and four pear-shape diamonds totalling 4.62-ct. Mounted in in 18-ct rose gold and platinum
The Tree Brooch motif is grounded in the exploration of classical art and landscape depictions. The Sotheby’s Diamonds Tree brooches reflect these elememts using rare diamonds with unexpected gemstones and texture-rich materials.
Left, Lavender Jadeite Tree Brooch (BR2014), in lavender jadeite, set with turquoise and five pear-shape diamonds totalling 5.13-ct. Mounted in platinum. Right, Winter Tree Brooch (BR2009), set with five pear-shape diamonds totalling 5.14-ct and pavé diamonds totalling 0.23-ct. Mounted in platinum and steel
The key inspiration is the notion of ‘the Tree of Life’ – an ancient and universal symbol of creation, knowledge and immortality. The diamonds are the heart of the Tree brooch composition, as the ‘soul’ of the jewel.
Left, Diamond Summer Tree Brooch (BR2008), set with nine cape-coloured, pear-shape diamonds totalling 10.09-ct and pavé tsavorites totalling 1.08-ct. Mounted in 22-ct yellow gold and platinum. Right, Tree Brooch (BR2002), set with ten pear-shape diamonds totalling 5.13-ct. Mounted in platinum and steel
The ‘Tree’ motif has been interpreted over ten years by craftsmen and designers, who have drawn inspiration from centuries of art movements. 'There’s something visceral and poetic in the Sotheby’s Diamonds Tree brooch', says Wong.
Left, Summer Tree Brooch (BR2015), in white opal, set with five pear-shape flawless diamonds totalling 5.27-ct and pink sapphire fruit totalling 3.63-ct. Mounted in 18-ct rose gold and 18-ct white gold. Right, Summer Tree Brooch (BR2012), in maw-sit-sit, set with five pear-shape diamond buds totalling 5.10-ct and pink opal. Set in 18-ct rose gold and 18-ct white gold. 'A Jewelled Garden of Eden' exhibition is on view at Sotheby’s Hong Kong from 12 September - 19 September. For more information, visit the website
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