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The impulse to clothe the animal world with symbolism relates to the awareness of our human essence, an understanding that connects art and culture through the course of history. For
thousands of years, from ancient gold jewels to the modern jewels of today, we have tried to capture the beauty of the natural world in our art and in our ornaments. The fascination for wild creatures has expressed itself in stories and dreams, as divinities and demons, fairy tales and fantasies. Artisan goldsmiths have given voice to the mystery of creation in the artefacts made from precious stones and rare metals inspired by animal subjects, whose images favour the relationships between man and nature, in an evolutional journey through mythology and culture. Since the time when the populations of ancient Egypt told stories about capturing the fearless power of the lion, the agility of the leopard and the
gracefulness of the butterfly, to then enclose them in small amulets symbols of vigour, wisdom and intelligence, many of the cultural meanings attributed
In alto: spilla a forma di uccello, in corallo inciso, diamanti taglio rotondo e baguette, rubini rotondi, smeraldo cabochon ovale, oro giallo 18 Kt e platino. Circa 1965, firmata Cartier. Sopra: spilla multigemme a forma di uccello su un ramo, in sodalite, perline turchesi e corallo, tormalina rosa rotonda, oro giallo 18 Kt. Circa 1965, firmata Cartier. A fianco: spilla a forma di uccello, in oro giallo 18 Kt, inciso con smalto blu e verde, un occhio di rubino taglio marquise e accenti di diamanti rotondi taglio singolo. Firmata Mauboussin, Parigi.
Top: bird brooch, in engraved coral, round and baguette-cut diamonds, round rubies, oval cabochon emerald, 18 Kt yellow gold and platinum. Circa 1965, signed Cartier. Above: multigem bird on a branch brooch, in sodalite, turquoise beads and coral, pink round tourmaline, 18 Kt yellow gold. Circa 1965, signed Cartier. Side: bird brooch, in 18 Kt yellow gold, engraved with blue and green enamel, a marquis-cut ruby eye and accents of single-cut round diamonds. Signed Mauboussin, Paris.