BUTTERFLY Victorian Antique Figural 18k Gold Solid Silver Old Mine Rose Cut Diamond French Belle Epoque Pendant

I take regularly scheduled inventory trips to Europe to offer you a selection of carefully curated antiques. These have all been hand picked one at a time and most are one of a kind.

ABOUT:

I purchased this sparkly butterfly as a broken brooch in Paris and had it converted to a pendant. It's a beautiful figural piece with the diamond encrusted body and wings.

French antique piece from the Victorian era, it is crafted in 18k gold and topped in silver as was customary for the period to set diamonds in a white metal. No hallmarks remain as it was marked on the pin parts but it is the customary fabrication for French pieces.

The piece has two old mine cut diamonds at the center of its body, and is further encrusted with 21 rose cut diamonds around the wings to that it has a nice all over glitter.

The Victorians were fascinated with nature and also with jewelry, and we see some wonderful designs come from the period incorporating both of these delights. As the figural pieces of the Victorian era often held a symbolism, butterflies represented transformation and rebirth, the soul and even love and beauty.

Please note the measurements as I have small fingers and it can be difficult to determine scale from pictures. Some of my buyers "draw out" an example to get an idea of scale in person.

Antique Boxes, props, hooks, chains, mice : ) not included. I just used some staging chains to show examples of how to wear.

SIZE & MEASUREMENTS:

Weight is 2.8g
It measures 20x18mm. The largest old mine cut diamond is 4.4x3.6mm and about a quarter carat, the smaller OMC is 2.9mm. The four larger rose cuts, one on each wing are 2.7mm each.
Face up appearance of the diamonds is around 3/4 carat, actual carat weight is unknown as the rose cuts have flat backs and irregular facets.

IMPORTANT CONDITION NOTES:

Some patina. Typical antique rose cuts, irregular rough cut and frosty, most of which has always been that way. One of the larger rose cuts has a notch to one girdle edge but it appears complete while wearing. The stones aren't huge so despite being frosty they add a nice glint of sparkle and a great antique look.

Please note that all my pieces are pre-owned and in estate condition. They will have patina, surface wear, a few small nicks. These pieces may also have evidence of a sizing, some build up around the stones and / or inclusions seen under magnification, typical for antique pieces. I have mentioned any noticeable issues above and they are all still wearable and eager to be loved and accepted for many years to come, (the preservation of antique jewelry, even those with signs of their age and history, is important to me. : ) There are no dark spots to the gold, it was just difficult to photograph because it is so shiny and mirrored that it reflects its surroundings including the green trees out the window.
But - Please note due to age, this piece is not in mint condition. Pictures also serve as part of the description and condition report so please utilize the zoom feature which will magnify any wear significantly more than what is visible to the eye while wearing : )

Thanks so much for looking at my items!

SOCIAL:
Please feel free watch @mouseshouseantiques on Instagram for inventory drops, sneak peaks and previews! And check out my website www.MousesHouseAntiques.com as I can add more pics there so you can get extra looks : )

All items hand picked by me, one at a time from all over the world. All listings individually written by me, and not AI, after studying each piece to discuss its beauties and its ; ) eccentricities (which I am picky to point out).

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