NARDI. A Ruby, Opal and Cultured Pearl Blackamoor Brooch. Photo Philips de Pury & Company

Designed as a blackmoor with a carved ebony head, wearing a textured and braided gold turban enhanced by a ruby-set star motif, the top set with a cabochon garnet, with seed-pearl ear pendants, to the shield-shaped tunic decorated with circular-cut rubies, and a cabochon opal and cultured pearl trim, mounted in 18K yellow gold, length 2 1/4 inches.  Signed 'Nardi'. ESTIMATE $2,000-3,000 - SOLD AT $4,750

Philips de Pury & Company. Jewels. New York. 6 december 2011 www.phillipsdepury.com