Herbarium No
048
Scientific Name
Fruit of a LONICERA
Common Name
Honeysuckle berry
Type
Brooch
Place
Vienna, Austria
Date
1950’s – 60’s
Collected by
Irmgard Bures
Material
Coral, nephrite, 585/1000 gold 14 k
Size
32,7 x 28 mm
Total Weight
6,7 grams
Condition
Good.
Price
Sold
This brooch features small, bright red berries, clustered along the plant stem. As these berries are made from precious coral, one could call this brooch a “coral honeysuckle”, but that’s actually a different, trumpet honeysuckle variety.
The depicted species is a shrub native to Austria, where the brooch was made, mid 20th century, by Irmgard Bures.
The Honeysuckle derives its name from the edible sweet nectar obtainable from its tubular flowers, sometimes twining in clusters of two (leading to the common name of “twinberry” for certain North American species). Honeysuckle berry is attractive to wildlife but mildly poisonous for people.
In the Language of flowers, honeysuckle represents being “united in love” and devotion because of the flowers huddling together.