Antique French Victorian Ruby and Diamond Pheasant Brooch

This French Victorian brooch in silver and 18ct yellow gold with a red gold back is more than just the depiction of a pheasant; it’s a true object d’art. A blister pearl as its body is swaddled with meticulously crafted silver feathers encrusted with 61 rose-cut diamonds. In yellow gold, this stunning wild bird has been given a beak, claws, and a crest with four natural rubies. What a magnificent world would you see through its ruby eye?

Antique jewellery object group: brooch

Condition: excellent condition

Country of origin: France

Style: Victorian – Victorian decorative arts refers to the style of decorative arts during the Victorian era. The Victorian era is known for its eclectic revival and interpretation of historic styles and the introduction of cross-cultural influences from the middle east and Asia in furniture, fittings, and Interior decoration. Victorian design is widely viewed as having indulged in a regrettable excess of ornament. The Arts and Crafts movement, the aesthetic movement, Anglo-Japanese style, and Art Nouveau style have their beginnings in the late Victorian era.

Style specifics: The Grand Victorian Period – Experts divide the reign of Queen Victoria, also called The Victorian era (1837 – 1901) into three periods of about twenty years each; The Romantic Victorian Period (1837 – 1860), The Grand Victorian Period (1860 – 1880), and the Late or Aesthetic Victorian Period (1880 – 1901).

We consider this to be of the Grand Victorian Period.

This second Victorian period is famous for its ostentatious pieces set with pearls and diamonds (from South Africa). From ca. 1850 wealthy English had reported about jewelry from India and Japan, which heavily inspired the jewelers of this period. This period also corresponds with the death of Queen Victoria’s husband King Albert making mourning jewelry (set with heavy dark stones) the type of jewelry specific for this period.

Period: ca. 1870

Source of inspiration: Mother Nature

Theme: pheasant

Material: Silver on top and backed with 18ct red gold.

Diamonds:61 rose cut diamonds. We do not have the weight of the diamonds which is normal in our trade when it comes to rose cuts.
Note: All diamond weights, color grades and clarity are approximate since the stones were not removed from their mounts to preserve the integrity of the setting.

Precious stones: Five natural rubies and one big blister pearl used as the body.

Birthstones: Diamond is the birthstone (or month stone) for April, ruby for July and pearl for June.

Hallmarks: The French control mark for 18ct gold representing an eagle’s head that was in use in France from about 1838.

Dimensions: width 7,00 cm (2,76 inch)

Weight: 12.80 gram (8.23 dwt)