Carnation Brooch

This brooch is based on the Dianthus caryophyllus-  Commonly known as the clove pink. It has been cultivated for millennia, valued for its warm spicy fragrance. They are called pinks because of the frilly petal edges that appear to have been cut by pinking shears. This brooch is inspired by artwork by Caroline Maria Applebee (c.1799-1854)-  Very little is known about Miss Applebee, like so many women artists of the time. She was an extremely talented amateur artist whose works went unpublished. Her paintings feature a large range of plants, including many more rare and exotic varieties of the day that would only survive under glass.