Earring

These pots with stylised flowers make clever use of different shapes and cuts of diamond. Although technically and aesthetically very much of the twentieth century, they are reminiscent of the 'giardinetti' (little garden) rings of the eighteenth century with their tiny posies of coloured gemstones in jewelled vases.

Earring · London · 1930-35. Platinum with diamonds. By Cartier. Victoria and Albert Museum, London.