Precious Butterfly Brooch With 3.40 ct Diamonds set in Gold, Germany c. 1995

In ancient Greece, butterflies were called psyche, meaning breath, breath, soul, as the animals were considered the embodiment of the human soul. In later centuries, they were believed to steal butter in unseen moments, or the cream on milk, which earned them their name - and in modern times they have finally become rare, as their habitat is disappearing more and more: Always, however, the sight of a butterfly delights. A particularly precious representative of its species is shown here in the form of a brooch. The diamond-studded butterfly is part of the long tradition of insect jewellery. Since the 19th century, butterflies, bees, flies and all kinds of animals have populated the collars and décolletés of ladies, and have not left them until today. A renaissance experienced the butterflies in 1990s and from that era also comes this piece of jewellery. 114 diamonds in different cuts occupy the wings and the body of the butterfly made of 14-carat gold, with a large navette-cut diamond weighing 0.30 ct and the colour river in the center. All stones are united by their excellent colour quality, ranging from high fine white (River, E) to fine white (Top Wesselton, G). A total of 3.40 ct of diamonds are set, transforming the piece of jewellery into a firework of light reflections. The wings of the beast are openworked with fine milgrains, reminiscent of the jewels of the Belle Époque. The magnificent butterfly found its way to us from southern Germany. We have had a detailed appraisal done on it, which confirms the quality of its materials. Cf. on the dating for example David Bennett/Daniela Mascetti: Understanding Jewellery, London 2010, p. 471.

Estimate:$11,908.92

View all items fromHofer AntikschmuckorJewelry & Gems