Vintage Bee Brooch-Pendant with Plique-à-Jour Enamel and Trembling Wings

This enchanting vintage bee brooch-pendant, crafted in 18K yellow gold, features delicate plique-à-jour enamel wings that tremble with movement, a technique known as *en tremblant*. The bee, a symbol of diligence and immortality, is adorned with shimmering diamonds that add a touch of brilliance to its intricate design. There is a playful delight in the way the wings flutter, bringing life to the jewel with every movement. An honest representative of its period, this piece authentically reflects the craftsmanship and style of its time, unmistakably vintage and not a reproduction of earlier eras.

Antique jewelry object group
combined brooch-pendant

Condition
very good condition
more info on our condition scale

Country of origin
unknown

Style
Vintage
See also: vintage jewelry
more info on styles

Period
ca. 1970
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 title usually 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

Technique
Plique a jour which is a French term for a technique of decoration in enamelling by which the design is outlined in metal and filled in with one or variously colored transparent enamels but with no backing behind the enamel, so that the effect is similar to that of a stained-glass window. This effect is clearly visible at one of the pictures we took with lighting from the back.

Extra information
Tremblant or Trembleuse - Tremblant is French for "trembling". Referring to a jewel decorated with a flower or other motif that has at the top stiff projecting wires (embellished with gemstones) that tremble when the piece is subjected to any movement. Sometimes the projections are finely coiled silver springs, such as were used in the 18th century, but some examples were made with tubular stems enclosing a strip of steel spring.

Diamonds
61 single brilliant cut diamonds (also called 8/8) with an estimated weight of ± 1.80ct colour and clarity F/H, vs/si
- When we provide weights, colour grades, and clarity of diamonds, these are approximate unless otherwise stated, as we do not remove diamonds from their settings to preserve the integrity of the piece.

- All diamonds, regardless of their size or shape, in our vintage and antique jewellery are verified as 100% natural by the IJGC laboratory.

- We do not sell lab-grown (synthetic) diamonds.

Birthstones:
Diamond is the birthstone for April.
more info on birthstones

Brand
Bedestengi (?)

Signature
Bedestengi (not clearly readable)

Hallmarks
"750" indicating 18K gold
more info on hallmarks

Dimensions
7,12 cm (2,80 inch) x 3,13 cm (1,23 inch)
see picture with a ruler in millimeters and inches

Weight
27,50 gram (17,68 dwt)

Adin Reference Nº
24263-0277

Copyright photography
Adin, fine antique jewellery

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