Paris, circa 1880-1890, ALPHONSE FOUQUET 18K yellow gold (750/-), tested. Maker's mark. 1 old-brilliant-cut diamond of circa 0.50 carat, 2 brilliant-cut diamonds. Circa 6.8 x 5.3 cm. Circa 29.2 g. Alphonse Fouquet's (1828-1911) oeuvre includes pieces of jewellery in both the Renaissance and naturalistic styles. He was also interested in motifs from Greek mythology. This also includes the chimera depicted so skillfully in this brooch. The chimera is described in ancient literature as a hybrid. It is a manifestation of the dark and sinister and devastated its surroundings until it was killed by Bellerophon. Literature: Bayerisches Nationalmuseum (ed.), Pariser Schmuck, Munich 1989, p. 122 ff.