3 700 €
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Total weight of the diamonds Valued color & clarity Natural Pearls (Certificate LFG) |
approx. 1,00 ct J-K/SI |
|---|---|
| Dimension (cm) | 3,1 x 2,1 |
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| Weight | 6,30 g |
| Ref. | #5546 |
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During the 1860s and 1870s, animal-shaped brooches experienced a real boom in Parisian jewelry. Inspired by observations of nature and the Second Empire’s taste for naturalistic compositions, jewelers created a wide variety of insects, birds, butterflies, snakes, dragonflies, and bees, rendered with remarkable precision. These pieces of jewelry, both decorative and symbolic, attest to the virtuosity of the Parisian workshops of the time. Among these creations, the bee holds a special place. Associated with work, harmony, and prosperity, it is also an emblematic motif of French imperial history. This Napoleon III brooch, worn in Paris around 1870, perfectly illustrates this trend.
Crafted in gold and silver, it features exceptionally meticulous engraving that delicately renders the insect’s wings, thorax, and abdomen. Depending on the design, the wings may be set with rose-cut diamonds, while the body is embellished with fine pearls, rubies, or other precious stones, creating a subtle contrast between realism and refinement.
Today, Second Empire animal brooches are highly sought after for their craftsmanship, their rich symbolism, and the fact that they are deeply representative of French jewelry from the second half of the 19th century. They are collector’s items that are as captivating as they are elegant, and remain easy to wear more than 150 years after their creation.
