A masterfully crafted French antique stickpin, dating to circa 1880. The head is modelled as a bluetit in three dimensions, the plumage rendered in finely applied polychrome enamel of remarkable precision and finesse — the colours laid with the delicacy characteristic of the finest French enamel work of the period. The bird's eye is set with a diamond that catches the light with a quiet, natural brilliance. At 1.1 × 1.2cm with a pin length of 7.5cm, this is a stickpin of perfect proportion.

Naturalistic bird stickpins of this enamel quality are among the most sought-after of all antique stickpin subjects — the combination of fine polychrome enamel, a diamond eye, and a French origin in a piece of this condition is genuinely rare.

The Details

• Origin: French
• Circa: 1880
• Subject: Bluetit (polychrome enamel)
• Stone: Diamond eye
• Dimensions: 1.1 × 1.2cm
• Pin Length: 7.5cm
• Weight: 3g