Fifties golden bird with demantoid eye and diamond beak on coral branch

"It is not only fine feathers that make fine birds."

Although Aesop (a Greek storyteller that lived 620-560 BC) meant something else with this saying, he couldn't be more accurate for the bird pictured here. If something got lost over the years in the art of jewelry making then it is the cooperation of various disciplines that are needed to get to one well designed and well made piece of jewelry. The artist/designer, the modeller, the goldsmith, the setter, the engraver, the polisher, all did one's bit.

As is the case with this strange bird here. A typical product of the fifties of the twenthieth century. All sorts of animals were used as source of inspiration. Made in gold and precious stones sometimes even decorated with enamel, the result of the experts' collaboration was, most of the times, well-made, clever and cute.

The special thing about this bird, besides its funny and yet well-made appearance, is the stone used for its eye. A beautiful velvetish light-green colored natural demantoid of nearly half a carat. Proofing that only the best of best was used in such pieces. Demantoid is the most expensive and rare of garnet gemstones, with fine specimens like the one used here commanding prices of thousands of dollars per carat.

Antique jewelry object group: brooches
Country of origin: Although it does not carry any legible control marks we believe it to be of French origin.
Style: Fifties (of the twentieth century) - (styles overview)
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.
Period: ca. 1950 (events and facts in 1950)
Source of inspiration: mother nature
Theme: bird on branch
Material: The beak is made in platinum and the rest of the bird in 18K yellow gold - (precious metals)
Diamonds: Four single brilliant cut diamonds (also called 8/8) with a total estimated weight of approx. 0.14 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.
Precious stones: One high quality demantoid with a weight of 0.47 crt (we had the stone certified by IGI - see certificate - but as the stone had some abraded facet edges we had it repolished, hence the difference in weight now and on the certificate) - (precious stones)
Birthstones: Diamond is the birthstone (or month stone) for April and garnet for January. - (general birthstones explanation)
Hallmarks: Illegible remains. - (general hallmarks info)
Condition: excellent condition - (our condition scale)
Dimensions: Height approximately 4.43 cm (1.74 inch)
Weight: 19.70 gram (12.67 dwt)

Reference Nº: 09097-4199

See also our:
jewelry with birds, jewelry with animals, fifties brooches, fifties jewelry, all brooches or our latest acquisitions, antique jewelry, estate jewelry, vintage jewelry or modern jewelry

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