Herbarium No.
172
Scientific Name
DIANTHUS caryophyllus
Common Name
Carnation or clove pink
Type
Barbrooch
Place
Made in Vienna, Austria
Date
Circa 1900
Collected by
Hallmark WF
Material
Rock crystal, mother of pearl, 585/1000 14 ct rosegold
Size
40,3 x 10,9 mm
Total Weight
2,7 grams
Condition
Good
Price
Sold
Native to Eurasia, carnations are cultivated for thousands of years. The Greeks and Romans used the flowers in ceremonial crowns, which might explain a name similar to ‘coronation’. Others though believe the carnation earned its name from the Latin word Caro,
meaning flesh, as this was the colour of the first carnations. It is also thought to be derived from the Latin word Incarnation, in this case, the incarnation of God in the flesh. According to legend, the carnation flower appeared after the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Carnations sprang forth from each spot where mother Mary’s tears fell to the earth. The carnation’s scientific name, Dianthus, comes from a combination of two Latin words: Dios, meaning gods, and Anthos, meaning flower. More about Christian symbolism.Carnations
enjoy a varied and rich history, filled with symbolism and legend. What giving or wearing a carnation means, depends on the circumstances and the colour of the bloom. In The Language of Flowers a pink carnation would mean “I’ll never forget you” and a striped one “I’m sorry, but I can’t be with you”. There are also some general symbolic meanings that apply to all carnations. These are Love, Distinction and Fascination.
This carnation brooch is made using a specific technique, a so-called ‘reverse intaglio’. A reverse crystal intaglio is a cabochon cut natural crystal with an intaglio carved into the flat underside. This image is painted and mounted on an opaque background (usually mother of pearl). Finally, the back is sealed with gold, to preserve the depicted subject. When viewed through the front, the image appears three-dimensional, like a poppy flower in a miniature display. The technique originates in Belgium c. 1860 and is attributed to an artist named Emile Marius Pradier. It gained popularity both in England and Austria.