Late Victorian era dragonfly brooch, wings set with diamonds and body in sapphire, circa 1900
Free secure delivery FR & EU | Shipment within 1-2 days
Vendeur professionnel | Avec certificat d'expertise
Make an offer
Exclusivité web – Non éligible au rendez-vous
Around 1900, a Victorian dragonfly brooch in 18-carat red gold with wings enhanced by silver, sumptuously set with a multitude of old-cut and rose-cut diamonds. A dazzling sapphire forms the body, two small rubies serve as eyes, and fine openwork gives the wings an impression of lightness and floating despite their brilliance. It delicately settles on a collar or lapel, catching the light with every movement, like a tiny creature of the night fashioned from precious materials.
Type of jewelry
brooch
Condition
very good condition
More information on our condition scale
Country of origin
Although the piece bears French hallmarks, its exact origin remains unknown. For more information, please consult the section dedicated to hallmarks.
Style
Victorian decorative art refers to the artistic style developed during the Victorian era. This period is characterized by an eclectic revival of historical styles and the introduction of intercultural influences from the Middle East and Asia in furniture, accessories, and interior decoration. Victorian design is often seen as having succumbed to a regrettable excess of ornamentation. The Arts and Crafts movement, the aesthetic movement, the Anglo-Japanese style, and Art Nouveau all have their origins at the end of the Victorian era.
See also: Victorian
More info on styles
Period
circa 1900
Events and facts from this era, poetry from this era, fashion from this era.
Source of inspiration
Mother Nature
Theme
Dragonflies in cultures – In Europe, dragonflies have often been seen as sinister. Some English vernacular names, such as "devil's darning needle" and "ear cutter," associate them with evil or injury. A Romanian folktale tells that a dragonfly was once a horse possessed by the devil. Swedish folklore claims that the devil uses dragonflies to weigh souls. In Norwegian, dragonflies are called "Øyenstikker," which literally means "eye piercer," and in Portugal, they are sometimes called "tira-olhos" (eye thieves).
They are often associated with snakes, as evidenced by the Welsh name gwas-y-neidr, "servant of the viper." The expression "snake doctor," used in the southern United States, refers to a folk belief that dragonflies follow snakes and heal them if they are injured.
Dragonflies are a recurring motif in Art Nouveau, notably in jewelry design. They are also found on posters by modern artists such as Maeve Harris, as well as a decorative motif on fabrics and furniture.
In Japan, the dragonfly is a seasonal symbol associated with the beginning and end of summer, as well as the start of autumn. More generally, it symbolizes courage, strength, and happiness, and frequently appears in art and literature, particularly in haikus. The enthusiasm for dragonflies is reflected in the existence of traditional names for almost all of the 200 species recorded in Japan and its surroundings. (Source: Wikipedia)
Material
18K
red gold and details in silver (tested with Touchstone)
More information about precious metals
Diamonds
Fifteen old brilliant-cut diamonds with an estimated weight of ± 1.40 ct, color and clarity H/L, VS/I
32 rose-cut diamonds and senaille diamonds. A senaille is a simplified rose cut, a small diamond chip possibly with a few polished facets. We do not have the weight of the rose-cut or senaille diamonds, which is common in our trade.
- When we indicate the weight, color, and clarity of the diamonds, these values are approximate unless otherwise stated, as we do not remove the diamonds from their settings in order to preserve the integrity of the jewelry.
- All diamonds, regardless of their size or shape, present in our antique jewelry and vintage are certified 100% natural by the IJGC laboratory.
Gemstones
A sapphire with an estimated weight of ± 0.30 ct
Two natural rubies (?)
The weight of colored stones is approximate as they are not removed from their setting in order to preserve its integrity.
It is very common to treat gemstones to enhance their clarity or color. The item in question has not been tested in this regard.
Birthstones
Diamond is the birthstone (or monthly stone) for April, sapphire for September, and ruby for July.
More information about birthstones
Hallmarks
Although it bears the typical French control marks representing a swan and an owl, we cannot be sure that it is truly French because the owl was also used for finished items that were brought in to be examined by the French assay office (the eagle's head was used for unfinished items brought in).
More information about hallmarks
Dimensions
3.83 cm (1.51 inch) x 3.24 cm (1.28 inch)
see the image with a ruler in millimeters and inches
Weight
8.20 grams (5.27 dwt)
Adin
Référence 58 Facettes : 10097735336265
SKU : 26050-0268
Authenticity guarantee
All jewelry offered on 58 Facettes has been certified by a professional in the trade.
As a marketplace specializing in pre-owned jewelry, 58 Facettes works with a network of more than 400 expert partners throughout France and internationally as well.
The jewelry offered on our platform is certified either by our antique jewelry expert or by one of our professional partners.
We carry out thorough checks on all our professional sellers before they are authorized to sell their jewelry.
For any purchase on 58 Facettes, you will systematically receive a certificate of appraisal. This certificate specifies the characteristics of the item (gold fineness, precious stones, hallmarks, signature, etc.) and the name of the expert who carried out the appraisal. Click here to see an example. An invoice detailing the characteristics of the item is also provided.
About this seller:
Vendeur professionnel - Statut : Diamond
Shipping & Returns. Shipped from...
Shipping to France, the EU, and the rest of the world
Shipping is free from €500 purchase for mainland France and the EU, and from €1000 purchase for the rest of the world, and is carried out by Colissimo, Chronopost, DHL, or Declared Value shipping.
The jewelry is delivered within 1 to 4 business days.
Shipped from:
Belgique
Store pickup:
If you are in Paris, France, you can collect your order in person. Simply select "Showroom pickup" at checkout.
Returns & Refunds
On 58 Facettes, you benefit from a 14-day withdrawal period. Return shipping costs will be covered by 58 Facettes.
Une question ? Contactez-nous ici.
Looking for a size guide? click here
Do not hesitate to ask us for free delivery (France only) of a ring sizer by mail by providing us with your name, first name, telephone number and delivery address.
