Vintage French antique 18K gold insect brooch bumble bee 1890

Unknown artist

RubyGoldGemstone
€ 1.750

Adin Fine Antique Jewellery

• About the artwork

  Antique jewelry object group
  brooch
  
  Condition
  very good condition
  more info on our condition scale
  
  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 themiddle 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 Nouveaustyle have their beginnings in the late Victorian era.
  See also: Victorian
  more info on styles
  
  Style specifics
  The Late or Aesthetic 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 Late or Aesthetic Victorian Period.
  
  Jewelry of this period is changing back from heavy to more smaller, romantic pieces with often whimsical motifs. Jewelers using diamonds and bright gemstones in elaborated and fine feminine pieces.
  
  Period
  ca. 1890
  Events & facts of this era, poetry of this era, fashion of this era.
  
  Source of inspiration
  Mother Nature
  
  Theme
  Bee - The bee, found in Ancient Near East and Aegean cultures, was believed to be the sacred insect that bridged the natural world to the underworld. Appearing in tomb decorations, Mycenaean tholos tombs were even shaped as beehives. Bee motifs are also seen in Maya cultures, an example being the Ah-Muzen-Cab, the Bee God, found in Maya ruins, likely designating honey-producing cities (who prized honey as food of the gods).
  
  In ancient Egypt, the bee was an insignia of kingship associated particularly with Lower Egypt, where there may even have been a Bee King in pre-dynastic times. After the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt, this symbol was incorporated in the titleusually preceding the throne name of pharaoh. Honey bees, signifying immortality and resurrection, were royal emblems of the Merovingians, revived by Napoleon. The bee is also the heraldic emblem of the Barberini.
  
  In heraldry, the bee symbolizes diligence and indefatigable effort. Someone is said to be busy as a bee when he or she works tirelessly and regardless of schedules or breaks. (from: Wikipedia)
  
  Material
  18K yellow gold (touchstone tested)
  more info on precious metals
  
  Precious stones
  One ruby. We did not check if the ruby is lab produced or not as this information has no influence on the value of this jewel. Natural rubies and lab produced rubies were both used in this era, rather more for their effect than for their intrinsic value. with an estimated weight of ± 0.15ct
  Two natural half seed pearls
  All color stone weights are approximate since stones are not removed from their mounts to preserve the integrity of the setting.
  It is a very common practice to treat gemstones to intensify their clarity or colour. The item in question has not been tested in this regard.
  
  Birthstones
  Ruby is the birthstone (or month stone) for July and pearl for June.
  more info on birthstones
  
  Hallmarks
  The French control mark for 18K gold representing an eagle's head that was in use in France from about 1838.
  more info on hallmarks
  
  Dimensions
  width 3,62 cm (1,43 inch)
  see picture with a ruler in millimeters and inches
  
  Weight
  3,90 gram (2,51 dwt)
  
  Adin Reference Nº
  22292-0339
  
  Copyright photography
  Adin, fine antique jewellery
  
  

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• About the artist

  It might happen that an artist or maker is unknown.

  Some works are not to be determined by whom it is made or it is made by (a group of) craftsmen. Examples are statues from the Ancient Time, furniture, mirroirs, or signatures that are not clear or readible but as well some works are not signed at all.

  As well you can find the following description:

  •“Attributed to ….” In their opinion probably a work by the artist, at least in part

  •“Studio of ….” or “Workshop of” In their opinion a work executed in the studio or workshop of the artist, possibly under his supervision

  •“Circle of ….” In their opinion a work of the period of the artist showing his influence, closely associated with the artist but not necessarily his pupil

  •“Style of ….” or “Follower of ….” In their opinion a work executed in the artist’s style but not necessarily by a pupil; may be contemporary or nearly contemporary

  •“Manner of ….” In their opinion a work in the style of the artist but of a later date

  •“After ….” In their opinion a copy (of any date) of a work of the artist

  •“Signed…”, “Dated….” or “Inscribed” In their opinion the work has been signed/dated/inscribed by the artist. The addition of a question mark indicates an element of doubt

  •"With signature ….”, “With date ….”, “With inscription….” or “Bears signature/date/inscription” in their opinion the signature/ date/ inscription has been added by someone other than the artist

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