Featured Pietro duro bee / fly brooch - ID and age help please :)

Hi all, my ignorance is going to show with this one but here goes ...

I found this sweet little brooch about a year ago - I don't usually buy jewellery but loved the motif so picked it up -

"how much is this please?"
"Fifty cents"
"Well, OK then!"

So had no idea what it was, and realised after I bought it that it was pietra dura and probably of some age. There are no marks on it that I can see - not even sure if it's gold (though I expect so).

I've been researching it by image search and think it's probably Italian (though I bought it in France). It's beautifully done re stone selection etc, but has suffered a little - a little red eye is missing (I think) and not sure if the legs (see the angled pic) would perhaps have had some gold or colour in them?

I'm considering selling it as I'm not a brooch wearer. Wondering if anyone could give me a steer on likely age, origin, whether it's a fly or bee, and (if possible) approximate value?

One other point is that the bee was a symbol for the Napoleonic empire so my thinking is that it could have been either from the period of his reign (so 1820ish) or from the revival of his cult which occurred during the Belle Epoque, around 1899. Worn by an admirer perhaps?

Would love to hear you thoughts!

 

PS - forgot to ask - it's dirty obvs but I'm wary about how to clean it safely since the stone might be porous - any thoughts there welcome too!

 

Bumble bees do well in auction. It is very charming! Did you see this during your research https://trademarkantiques.com/products/pietra-dura-bee-ring-antique-pin-69774

 

Thank you @laura9797 I hadn't seen that one! Looks like the same make and good to see they have a late 19th century date - wonder what it sold for?

 

That’s just gorgeous! @kyratango look!

 

I bet you could not get your $.50 out fast enough!

 

honestly, this was the weirdest find - busy brocante sale, lots of things cleared out, and late in the day about 2pm ... so wouldn't normally expect something like this to be left behind! Also had zero idea what it was so it was pretty unexpected on that front too. Just buying something I liked and clearly the vendors didn't ! Wonder what else they had on that table earlier in the day lol

 

Oh, that is beautiful!

 

What a good find! Congratulations!
You already have an answer for the date.
It could well be gold, I would test it if I were you.
No matter if its gold or not, its a beauty.
I wouldn't bother too much about the condition, it looks just fine to me.
I m not sure about the Napoleontic admirer thought...I just think bees were widely used in jewelry.
But thats just my two cents.

 

Maybe the auction house would tell you if you asked?

 

Sometimes we see funny coincidences here. This recent discussion is about a bracelet, not a brooch. But the insects are done in a similar style.
https://www.antiquers.com/threads/bugs.77654/

I just found the discussion after reading yours, @KylieS

 

Glad you posted that link, Fig. I was thinking the exact thing. We just had a thread on a similar piece!

Kylie, I'm with Dessert58, I would be a bit hesitant to clean as it looks reasonably good. Hard to tell from the photos, but I think sometimes the legs of these Pietra Dura bugs were painted on. It looks like yours has some carving to the legs, but possible there might have originally been some paint there. You don't want to accidentally remove any paint if there is any left if you were to clean.

Spectacular find! Congratulations.

 

I love it so much!

 

Absolutely fab. And 50¢? Oh, my!

Debora

 

Ha! The more I look the more I drool!!!

 

Very nice subject! You know I'm partial about bzz bzzz
1860 era, it seems the mount is "pomponne", similar to pinchbeck a brass and zinc alloy. Have it tested to be sure!
A simple polishing cloth will shine it again without getting it wet.
Quelle trouvaille! once you'll get an idea of the price, I'm interested

 

the value is likely around 37.50........... Kyra..

 

It seems to me that sometimes people pass up bee jewellery because they think it is a fly.

The hinge & clasp look to me like high quality late 19th century work, so I would be surprised if the brooch is not mainly gold, although some elements may be brass.

It looks like there is a 'ding' on the clasp exactly where I have many times seen the French eagle's head mark stamped.

 

That’s an absolute stunner, superb quality.

 

I’ll go get a cloth