Vintage Louis Rousselet French Glass Bead and Rhinestone Brooch

An exceptionally lovely and rare brooch by Louis Rousselet. The central cabochon has the initial appearance of poured glass but is actually a French lamp work glass bead. It’s surrounded by a halo of navette prong-set rhinestones, and sits above a layer of faceted metallic seed beads. All of those elements are hand-wired to a pierced metal plate, with a floral gilt filigree back wired behind it. When the light hits the navette stones just right, they exhibit a prism effect, refracting light in a rainbow - so I believe they are made of cut crystal. The effect of the glass and the stones is stunning. It’s finished with a trombone clasp. Given the uniqueness of the piece, I suspect this may have been a haute couture piece for another design house.