A late 19th century enamel, diamond and ruby bird brooch. Estimate CHF40,000 – CHF45,000 ($40,341 - $45,384). Photo Christie's Image Ltd 2015

Modelled as a swallow in flight, applied with black enamel, to the old and rose-cut diamond wing borders, tail and head, with ruby eyes, circa 1890, 10.5 cm 

Note: An iconic model of the late 19th Century, the swallow in flight has been the inspiration for numerous jewels, including a horn comb by Eugene Feuillatre with very similar black enamelled birds. 

Christie's. GENEVA MAGNIFICENT JEWELS, 10 November 2015, Geneva