Ruby and diamond demi parure, Late 18th Century, possibly Iberian - Sotheby's

Comprising: a necklace and a pair of pendent earrings of girandole form, all of ribbon and foliate design, the necklace suspending two interchangeable pendants, one designed as a bird with a ruby eye, length of necklace approximately 265mm, earrings with post fittings, fitted case. Estimation: 5,000 - 7,000 GBP. Lot. Vendu 20,000 GBP

NOTE DE CATALOGUE: Similar examples of these jewels can be found at the Victoria and Albert Museum.Girandole earrings grew out of 18th Century fashion, which emphasises the wearer’s neck, leaving the ears uncovered, and ideal for the adornment with elaborate earrings. The recent discoveries of Brazilian diamonds had increased supply allowing for a greater display of facetted stones, while improvements in cutting diamonds were best displayed from the girandole framing the face and catching the candle light.

Sotheby's. The Jewellery Collection of the Late Michael Wellby: An Eclectic Eye - Jewels Spanning Four Centuries. London | 11 déc. 2012 www.sothebys.com