A Victorian diamond, turquoise, opal and pearl bee brooch, t...

Hammer

£600

A Victorian diamond, turquoise, opal and pearl bee brooch, the abdomen set with a turquoise cabochon, the thorax set with a turquoise coloured cabochon, each within a surround of rose cut diamonds, with further rose cut diamonds set to the wings, opal set eyes, all set to a yellow metal body, upon a knife edge bar with pearls to each end, hinged pin and simple loop fastening, 41mm wide, weight 5.6gms (at fault)

More Information

PLEASE NOTE: The polished cabochon set to the thorax is not thought to be turquoise, and may be of synthetic/mad-made origin. It does appear to be a later replacement.

There is a chip to one of the opal eyes. Both opals show abrasion and wear commensurate with age and use. All diamonds are present - several show minor chips and nibbles, all show general scratching and abrasion commensurate with age and use. Turquoise to body in good order, no major cracks, chips or losses. There are a couple of small splits to the body, one around the eye, and another around the thorax. The body shows general scratching and wear commensurate with age and use but no signs of repair or major damage. Both pearls are present and in tact, no major cracks or losses. Both show moderate scratching and wear, and have small drill holes to each side. These pearls have not been tested for natural or man-made origin.