Antique/Vintage Retro brooch. 18k yellow gold, platinum, diamonds, rubies, moonstone and pearl. Made in France, circa 1940.
Unisex: can be worn by a man or a woman.
Measurements:
Weight is 5.6 grams. Wingspan is a tad under 1 1/2 inches (4.8cm). Tail to tip of beak is 1inch (2.7cm).
Moonstone 2.75ct oval cabochon cut; Rubies 0.49ct; Diamonds 0.37ct.
Description :
Strong design, typical of the Retro period. It manages to combine geometric forms and strong color combinations with a naturalistic look.
As was the custom for centuries, colored stones were mounted in yellow gold, while diamonds were shown off to better effect in silver or platinum (platinum in this case). The head of the bird is composed of a bright pearl with tubular gold settings holding small cabochon ruby eyes and a long, strong, pointy gold beak. The body is a cabochon moonstone.
The outstretched wings are very beautifully designed, with the upper sections in gold, set with lovely red cabochon rubies. The outer feathers are pave set diamonds, like the tail, all set in platinum.
Lovely gleam to the moonstone and diamonds really shine.
Hinged pin with a tubular secure clasp.
Workmanship is beautiful as are the color combinations.
Marks and Metal:
behind the tubular clasp is a French assayed mark for gold and platinum (mascaron and owl) and on the pin is an owl, indicating 18k gold.
Condition:
Good with negligible wear commensurate with age. Please see enlarged pictures and don't hesitate to ask questions which we will do our best to answer.
The 'dimple' in the moonstone in some of the pictures is an illusion from the camera, but the moonstone is quite round and smoothe on top.
