Antique diamond set 'Saint Esprit' brooch. Set throughout with one hundred and fifty-five cushion shape old mine diamonds in open back grain and rubover settings with a combined approximate weight of 7.00 carats, further enhanced by two round cabochon natural unenhanced rubies in closed back rubover settings with an approximate combined weight of 0.02 carats, all to an ornate dove design with intricately pierced backholing, with secure hinged pin and scroll clasp to reverse, additionally fitted with a safety chain and diamond set pin, approximately 3cm in length. Tested yellow gold and silver, numbered '2614', circa 1860.
Brooches of this type originated in eighteenth-century France. The dove with outstretched wings is representative of the Holy Spirit or 'Saint Esprit'.
