Antique Victorian butterfly brooch pin gold diamonds sapphire ruby French (7674)

Antique Victorian Napoleon III brooch pin. Diamonds, sapphire, ruby, gold, silver. Hinged, movable. Made in France, 19th century (circa 1880 - 1890's). Unisex - suitable for a man or a woman. Measurements: Weight is 7.6 grams. a little over 3 1/2 inches (9cm) long. Description : Brooch pin that can be worn on a shoulder, to hold a tie or cravat, lapel, hat or belt. First view of butterfly, depicts wings seen in profile. The pair of wings is pave set with rose cut diamonds, centered with a gold collet holding a square cushion cut sapphire and ruby respectively. As was the norm at the time, diamonds are set in silver in order to show them off to best effect in candle or gas light. Beautiful initial view of the butterfly exquisitely portrayed goes even further with a hidden surprise: Moving, hinged wings raise to reveal the golden body of the butterfly, hidden when wings are closed. Modelled perfectly naturally in 18k gold. The fully articulated hinges attaching wings to body of the insect, allowing it to move - so that wings can flap open and closed like a living creature. Marks and Metal: The pin is hallmarked with two French hallmarks: the eagle head for 18k gold and a partially legible Minerva head for 950 silver. Independent appraisal tested the gold as 14-18k. Condition: Good with minor wear commensurate with age. As with much antique jewelry, the function was often altered to suit inheriting generations. A brooch might become a pendant or a part of a tiara might become a necklace. It is possible that this butterfly once had another finding that has subsequently been removed (see protusion on back of wing). Please see enlarged pictures and don't hesitate to ask questions which we will do our best to answer. THE STORY: Centuries ago, master jewelers devoted extraordinary time, skill, and expense to creations that would be nearly impossible to reproduce today—not only because of cost, but because so few artisans still possess the techniques required. The maker of this remarkable butterfly brooch concealed an ingenious secret within the piece: delicately articulated wings that open to reveal the jeweled body beneath. Such hidden craftsmanship was exceptional even in the Victorian era, when fine jewelry reached extraordinary artistic heights. Pieces of this complexity and refinement were prohibitively expensive to produce, making surviving examples exceedingly rare and highly collectible.