Gold and enamel brooch, René Lalique, circa 1900. Photo Sotheby's

Designed as two stylised anemone stems, the flower petals formed from frosted moulded glass with blue centres, the leaves in green plique-à-jour and translucent opalescent enamel, signed Lalique. Estimate 10,000-15,000 GBP - Lot Sold: 94,850 GBP

LITERATURE: Cf: Sigrid Barten, Réne Lalique, Schmuck und Objets d'art 1890-1910, 1989, Munich, page 115 for a drawing and brooch by Lalique in the form of anemones created circa 1901-1903, page 320 and page 407 for a drawing of a design for an anemone brooch circa 1899-1901.

Cf: Vivienne Becker, The Jewellery of Rene Lalique, exhibition catalogue Goldsmiths' Company, 28th May - 24th July 1987, page 83 for an illustration of an anemone brooch/pendant circa 1897-98.

NOTE: Réne Lalique was a master at recreating nature in fine jewels using delicate enamel work to imitate the translucency of light passing through a dragonfly wing or in this case the leaf of a flowering plant. He studied nature closely in all its forms, many interpretations both beautiful and fragile, from flitting insects, flowers and blossoms to decaying leaves.

Sotheby's. Fine Jewels, London, 13 Jul 2011 www.sothebys.com