French Fifties bejeweled gold brooch bird of paradise with plique ajour enamel

This bird of paradise arose as a French Fifties brooch in 18K yellow gold scintillating with vibrant gemstones and plique-à-jour enamel. By flapping its wings up while sitting on a branch, the translucent blue and red in the feathers of the wings, the tail and the neck flare vibrantly next to the five single brilliant cut diamonds in its crest, the 16 cabochon cut turquoises in its body and its ruby eye. Hurry to catch this bird before it flies off to paradise without you.

Antique jewelry object group: brooch

Condition: excellent condition
  -  (more info on our condition scale)

Country of origin: France

Style: Fifties (of the twentieth century)
  -  See also: Fifties (of the twentieth century) or more info on styles

Style specifics: This type of jewelry is very specific for the fifties of the twenthieth century. All sorts of animals were used as source of inspiration for the goldsmiths. Made in gold and decorated with enamel and precious stones, the result of their labour most of the times well-made, clever and cute.

Period: ca. 1950
  -  (events and facts in 1950)

Source of inspiration: Mother Nature

Theme: Bird of paradise

Material: Two tones of precious metal, the main part being 18K yellow gold and the white parts are either white gold or platinum.
  -  (more info on precious metals)

Technique: Plique-à-jour, (French for "braid letting in daylight"} is a vitreous enamelling technique where the enamel is applied in cells, similar to cloisonné, but with no backing in the final product, so light can shine through the transparent or translucent enamel. It has a stained-glass like appearance and is considered very challanging technically. (From: Wikipedia)

Extra information: Besides the French hallmarks we also found a re-mark struck in the Netherlands, meaning somewhere in its life this brooch has been imported into the Netherlands.

Diamonds: Five single brilliant cut diamonds (also called 8/8) with a total estimated weight of approx. 0.05 crt.
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.

Total diamond weight: approx. 0.05 crt.

Precious stones: One small ruby used for the eye and 16 cabochon cut turquoises
  -  (more info on precious stones)

Birthstones: Diamond is the birthstone (or month stone) for April Turquoise for December, and ruby for July.
  -  (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: height 7,05 cm (2,78 inch)

Weight: 11,30 gram (7,27 dwt)

Reference Nº: 14206-0094

Copyright photography: Adin, fine antique jewelry

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