A Victorian diamond circular brooch, designed as an old brilliant cut diamond central cluster...

A Victorian diamond circular brooch, designed as an old brilliant cut diamond central cluster with diamond graduated double row surround, in silver cut down setting on gold back and gallery, with later brooch fitting, circa 1880, diameter 2.5cm, in fitted case stamped Bracher & Sydenham, Reading 

Provenance: Formerly the property of the designer Eileen Gray thence by descent

Eileen Gray (1878 - 1976) was an Irish furniture designer and architect with no formal training who became a pioneer of the Modern Movement in architecture. Gray was born Kathleen Eileen Moray Smith on 9th August 1878. Her father James McLaren Smith was a Scottish landscape painter; he was well connected with a number of well known artists and encouraged Eileen in painting and drawing. He changed his name to Smith Gray by royal license and his children were known as Gray. Eileen's serious art education began in 1900 at the Slade School in London. While at the Slade, Gray met furniture restorer Dean Charles in 1901. Charles was Gray's first introduction to lacquering and she took lessons in the technique from his company in Soho. In 1902 Gray went to Paris to study at the Academié Colarossi and Academié Julian. She returned to London in 1905 and continued her studies. Her career in design began after the first world war when she returned to Paris. She was commissioned to redesign the Rue de Lota apartment of society hostess Juliette Lévy. The interior was described as the "the epitome of Art Deco" and featured in Harper's Bazaar. In 1927 She designed her own house near Monaco known as E1027 and it was visited by the architect Le Corbusier. During World War II, Gray was interned as a foreign national, and her houses were looted. Many of her drawings, models, architectural notes, and personal papers were destroyed by bombing. The first retrospective exhibition of her work, titled Eileen Gray: Pioneer of Design, was held in London in 1972. A Dublin exhibition followed the next year. At the Dublin exhibition, the 95 year-old Gray was given an honorary fellowship by the Royal Institute of the Architects of Ireland.