A Boucheron Peacock Feather Necklace & Brooch

A peacock feather brooch set with sapphires, diamonds and emeralds. French, circa 1883. By Boucheron. Believed to have been made for the Grand Duke Alexis of Russia.

An important peacock feather necklace by Boucheron with Royal Russian provenance. Set with a sapphire, emeralds and diamonds, the feather is detachable and may be worn as a brooch or hair ornament. Paris, 1883.
Believed to have been made for, and purchased by Grand Duke Alexis, brother of the Czsar of Russia, from Frédéric Boucheron in Paris, for 14,000 francs in 1883.
This exquisite Masterpiece by Boucheron was part of a small series of 'question mark' necklaces made in the late 19th century, so-called because of the novel open ended question mark shape that they form. Impossibly light and delicate, the feather is remarkably naturalistic, especially when noted that it has been formed in silver and 18ct yellow gold. The technology and craftsmanship used to create this piece was far in advance for its time.
This is undoubtedly a very important piece of Boucheron jewellery, not only because of the exceptionally fine craftsmanship, but the fact that it survives today with such a colourful provenance.