A FINE DIAMOND BROOCH, BY CHAUMET, CIRCA 1955Of... Lot 47

A FINE DIAMOND BROOCH, BY CHAUMET, CIRCA 1955Of stylised openwork design, the principal round brilliant-cut diamond weighing approximately 1.40cts within a cluster of marquise-shaped diamonds, to a triple spray of brilliant and tapered baguette-cut diamonds, mounted in platinum, remaining diamonds approximately 8.00cts, signed Chaumet, within Chaumet fitted case, length 3.8cmChaumet was founded in 1780 by Marie-Etienne Nitot, with an establishment at the heart of place Vendôme. His creativity and quality of workmanship, led him to become one of the most sought-after jewellers in Europe and thus establish a loyal and prestigious clientele. Since its inception Chaumet has preserved and continued the Parisian tradition of expertly crafted fine jewellery.The history of Chaumet has been entwined with the History of France, with Nitot and his son, Francois Regnault Nitot becoming the official jeweller to Napoleon during the Consulate and the Empire, creating tiaras, official court jewels and fashion accessories. Napoleon’s marriage to Joséphine, then to Marie-Louise of Habsburg-Lorraine, Queen Marie-Antoinette’s great-niece, resulted in some impressive commissions for Chaumet. Following the fall of the Empire, Nitot’s successors Jean-Baptiste Fossin and his son, Jules, dedicated themselves to romantic jewellery inspired by the decorative arts of the Italian Renaissance and of the French 17th-century.In 1848, Jules Fossin set up a London branch in partnership with J.V., Morel, assisted by his son Prosper. On his return to Paris in 1954, Prosper Morel joined Jules Fossin whom he succeeded in 1868. Prosper Morel’s daughter married Joseph Chaumet in 1875. With exceptional creativity and inspired by the re-enchantment of nature, Joseph Chaumet came to be recognised as an undisputed master of the Belle Époque. In 1889, Chaumet took over the company and gave his name to the house.In 2001, the LVMH Group acquired the house and entrusted the reigns to Thierry Fritsch, an art lov