Pictured are two highly important enameled brooches by Carlo Giuliano.
The first features an elaborate gold, enamel, & gem-set depiction of Venus holding a diamond-set mirror, under a canopy set with rubies and rose-cut diamonds. She is flanked by a pair of white doves holding pearl garlands, which are connected to a pair of exquisitely enameled male mask heads supporting pearl fringes from their mouths. A tiger couchant and a spray of pink roses rest at her feet. Produced in 1890, it is a decadent example of the Renaissance-Revival style .
It is suggested that the second brooch is the most significant Egyptian-Revival jewel of the 19th century. This brooch features an enameled Pharaoh head at the center of the design. Pharaoh wears a headdress of old-mine and rose-cut diamonds surmounted by a cushion-cut ruby. A pair of white enameled horses accompany Pharaoh, their fanciful costumes include plumes and collars in polychrome champleve and cloisonne enamel. The design is anchored by lotus blossoms, bells and three pendant pearls, circa 1865-1895.
Giuliano employed an advanced enameling technique developed in France in the 14th century referred to as en ronde bosse, meaning "in the round." While simpler enameling methods were limited to flat surfaces, this method produces enamel-encrusted three-dimensional figures.
Interesting historical fact: White enamel was only first developed around 1400 (the oldest examples of enameling date back 3000 years), so many of the original Renaissance designers began creating works that featured an abundance of white enamel in their designs to showcase this new advancement.
Both brooches are for sale at Bentley & Skinner for $394,000 & $289,000, respectively.