18ct gold, enamel and diamond brooch, modelled as a butterfly, the wings detailed with pink plique-a-jour enamel, the body and wing edges detailed with brilliant-cut diamonds and pink sapphires, the diamonds together weighing approximately 2.22 carats, the sapphires together weighing approximately 1.15 carats, length 1.38 in., width 2.17 in., gross weight approximately 21.1 grams.
- Plique-A-Jour - Plique a jour, which translates from the French as “glimpse of daylight” is a method of enamelling in which the backing is removed or cut away so the light shines through, with a similar effect to a stained glass window. The enamel is held in place by border.
Although the technique of plique-a-jour has been known and in use since the 6th century, it became popular again in the late 19th century, in Russia and Scandinavia. Plique-a-jour was popular in the Art Nouveau period, especially for jewellery.
Because of the length of time required to produce an item, and the high failure rate, production was limited, and the technique is little used today.
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