Price guide to antique and vintage brooches designed as flies or bees. Bees and flies can be very similar so this section has combined the two. Bees and flies were popular brooch designs during the Victorian era.
A pink sapphire, Diamond and 18k Gold Fly Brooch, Rosenthal, Rosenthal with maker’s mark; estimated total diamond weight: 1.70cts; length: 1in.
Sold for US$ 1,500 (£ 1,121) inc. premium at Bonhams in 2018
Antique Silver, Gold, Cabochon Emerald, Blister Pearl, Diamond and Ruby Insect Brooch Pearl ap. 20.9 x 12.5 mm., one oval cabochon emerald ap. 7.5 x 6.8 mm., old-mine & rose-cut diamonds, with maker’s marks, c. 1890, ap. 11 dwts.
Cabochon emerald: medium light green, moderately included, slightly visible to eye, translucent, good polish. Pearl: off-white, several light scratches, good luster. 1 5/8 x 1 5/8 inches.
Sold for $1,875 (includes buyer’s premium) at Doyle New York in 2018
A gem-set insect brooch. The circular opal cabochon bee, with circular-cut diamond wings and circular-shape ruby eyes. Estimated total diamond weight 0.30ct. Length 1.9cms. Overall condition good. Minor surface scratches/wear in keeping with general age and wear. Diamonds well matched. Diamonds bright. Individual size and setting of diamonds prevents accurate colour and clarity assessment. Some diamonds drawing more colour than others, with minor inclusions. All coloured stones in good condition with some abrasion and minor nibbles to the girdle and facet/surface edges. Opals with good play of colour, flashes in a range of hues. Due to setting restriction, closed back, unable to identify if opal is a composite.
Sold for £240 at Fellows in 2018
A 14k gold brooch formed as a bee / winged insect set with rubies to body and diamonds to eyes. 1” long
Sold for £140 at Dickins Auctioneers Ltd in 2018
Brooch ‘insect’ with opal, diamonds and sapphires, silver , german approx. 1900s, partly gilded, 1 round and 1 oval opalcabochontotal approx. 2 ct, play of colours in green and red, diamond roses total approx. 0.30 ct, 2 round sapphire cabochons as eyes, wings movable, partly very fine sawn, approx. 3 x 3 cm
Sold for €450 at Henry’s Auktionshaus AG in 2018
Sapphire and diamond brooch, circa 1880 Designed as a bee, set with oval and cushion-shaped sapphires and circular-cut and rose diamonds, French assay marks.
Sold for 3,000 GBP at Sothebys in 2018
