Wonderful Early 20th Century Gem-Set Butterly Brooch

A wonderful Early 20th Century gem set butterfly brooch set with diamonds, rubies, turquoise and split pearls.

Length: 4.9cms

Weight: 3.8grams

Condition: Diamonds appear fairly bright and well matched. Cut and setting of rose-cut diamonds prevents total carat weight estimation. Individual size and setting of diamonds prevents accurate colour and clarity assessment. Split pearls with typical surface blemishes and light to some nacre damage. Rubies pinkish red hie, well saturated. Turquoise untested for natural colour origin. Stones with some abrasion and minor nibbles to the girdle and facet edges.

Butterfly brooches were highly popular, representing a continuation of Victorian sentimentalism combined with the light, flowing aesthetic of the Art Nouveau movement. They were considered romantic, feminine and symbolic of the wearer's grace. Their key meanings were transformation and rebirth, following the Victorian fascination with the life cycle, butterflied symbolised the metamorphosis from a caterpillar to a winged creature, representing personal growth, change and overcoming hard times. They also symbolised the soul and immortality, often associated with the Greek Word for butterfly, psyche, which also means "soul". It was viewed as a symbol of the soul's liberation, immortality and resurrection. They also symbolised freedom and felinity, the butterfly's light, airy nature made it an ideal emblem for freedom and femininity