An ethereal platinum, diamond and pearl set butterfly brooch from the Edwardian period. Depicted perfectly poised ready for flight this beautiful insect has been intricately portrayed with the interspaces of both pairs of fore and hind wings richly delineated. The interspaces, and abdomen sparkle with old cut diamonds, which have been securely claw set. The eyes and antennae feature further diamonds, and a lustrous creamy white pearl has been used to define the thorax. Butterflies were hugely important and symbolic to both the Victorians and Edwardians, and were known to represent the soul. Widely featured in jewellery and the decorative arts butterflies were collected and displayed in elaborate cases and frames throughout these eras. The Edwardian period only lasted for nine years (1901-1910), but it was an incredibly important era for jewellery design. Hugely intricate pieces showcasing the very best diamonds and coloured gemstones were worn with elaborate fashions from the most famous French couture houses. Driven by the explosion of court life, steered by the fashion conscious King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra, this was a truly special time. Queen Alexandra in-fact received a large diamond set butterfly brooch for her silver wedding anniversary in 1888. Worn throughout the rest of her life this incredible jewel later passed to her granddaughter the Princess Royal, Countess of Harewood (1897-1965).
