Type of jewel: Vintage antique 18K gold brooch in the shape of a bejewelled butterfly Condition: In well-preserved condition, especially given the jewel`s age. Style: Vintage antique Era: ca. 1900 Inspired by: Mother Nature Material: 18K yellow gold (touchstone tested) Extra information: Butterfly - Artistic depictions of butterflies have been used in many cultures including Egyptian hieroglyphs 3500 years ago. In the ancient Mesoamerican city of Teotihuacan, the brilliantly colored image of the butterfly was carved into many temples, buildings, jewelry, and emblazoned on incense burners in particular. Today, butterflies are widely used in various objects of art and jewelry: mounted in frames, embedded in resin, displayed in bottles, laminated in paper, and used in some mixed media artworks and furnishings. Butterfly symbolism - A butterfly was seen in Japan as the personification of a person's soul; whether they be living, dying, or already dead. One Japanese superstition says that if a butterfly enters your guestroom and perches behind the bamboo screen, the person whom you most love is coming to see you. The Russian word for "butterfly", bábochka, also means "bow tie". It is a diminutive of "baba" or "babka" (= "woman, grandmother, cake"), whence also "babushka" = "grandmother". The ancient Greek word for "butterfly" is psyche, which primarily means "soul" or "mind". According to Mircea Eliade's Encyclopedia of Religion, some of the Nagas of Manipur trace their ancestry from a butterfly. In Chinese culture, two butterflies flying together symbolize love. Also, Butterfly Lovers is a famous Chinese folktale. In some old cultures, butterflies also symbolize rebirth after being inside a cocoon for a period of time. Some people say that when a butterfly lands on you it means good luck. The idiom "butterflies in the stomach" is used to describe a state of nervousness. (From Wikipedia) Precious stone(s): Eight red strass (also called paste) as ruby imitation and eleven man-made half seed stone pearls Birth and month stones: Ruby is the birthstone (or month stone) for July and Pearl is the birthstone (or month stone) for June. Hallmarks: No trace. Dimensions: 2,95 cm (1,16 inch) x 3,80 cm (1,50 inch) - See picture with a ruler in cm and inches Weight: 4,00 gram (2,57 dwt) Adin reference Nº: 26089-0362 - All jewels are delivered in an Adin jewellery box. Boxes shown in photos are display props unless stated otherwise. - Every piece is accompanied by an Adin certificate of authenticity for your piece of mind. Adin has specialised in antique and vintage jewellery in Antwerp for over four decades. We maintain professional memberships and affiliations that reflect our ongoing commitment to standards, research, and responsible trade practice. - Shipped insured and registered. Collection in person is also welcome. - For shipments outside the EU, import duties and other charges may apply. We advise checking this in advance. - We invite you to browse through our customer feedback to discover the level of satisfaction we consistently provide. - See more of our pieces: https://auction.catawiki.com/lotsfrom/Adin - Antique and vintage jewellery may show evidence of past repairs or restoration, reflecting normal wear and period use. We present pieces in an authentic state and do not routinely remove surface marks or apply rhodium plating to white gold. If you prefer a brighter finish, you may choose a cosmetic refresh by a local goldsmith.