Four of the most watched brooches right now on thesaleroom.com

Fabergé

This Fabergé sapphire and diamond brooch is offered at Adams on December 3 with an estimate of €1200-1800.

Adams offers this Fabergé sapphire and diamond brooch in its sale of December 3 with an estimate of €1200-1800.  It is one of three pieces by the Russian maker in the sale, attributed to master Mikhail Evlampievich Perkhin, a self-taught goldsmith who learned his trade from rural craftsmen in the Oolnets province before moving to St Petersburg, rising through the ranks to create more than half of the Imperial Easter eggs.

It has a provenance to Frederick James Merrilees, the son of the Anglo-Russian merchant who co-owned Moscow’s first and largest department store in the last days of the Russian Empire. Merrilees was guardian to a young girl he brought up as a friend and companion to his daughter from the age of eight to 18. This brooch was consigned by the granddaughter.

View and bid for this Fabergé brooch on thesaleroom.com.

French beetle

A French beetle brooch available with an estimate of £80-120 at Bishop and Miller on November 30.

Much antique jewellery is rich with symbols that would have been familiar to its previous owners. Europeans in the 19^th century were inspired by the ancient Egyptians, for whom the beetle represented rebirth and eternity. This French 18ct gold insect brooch with black opals and pearl body is offered at Bishop & Miller on November 30 where it has an estimate of £80-120.

View and bid for this 19^th century French opal brooch on thesaleroom.com.

Butterfly brooch

This 19th century butterfly brooch is available at Elmwood on November 28 with an estimate of £1500-2500.

Also popular in the world of insect jewellery was the butterfly, exemplified in this 19^th century brooch, set with old peruzzi cut diamonds. Along with flowers, butterflies indicated “I am settled” and could also refer to the soul. Offered at Elmwoods on November 28, it has an estimate of £1500-2500.

View and bid for this antique diamond butterfly brooch on the saleroom.com.

Demi-parure

A colourless paste-set brooch with three pendant drops offered at Bellmans with an estimate of £180-220.

Offered in an attractive antique box, this colourless paste set has a brooch and three pendant drops, known together as a Demi parure. The chandelier style is typical of Iberian design. Highly collectable this set is offered with an estimate of £180-220 at Bellmans Auction ending today.

View and bid for this paste set brooch on thesaleroom.com.