What periods do these pieces date from?

The pieces span from the Victorian era through the Arts and Crafts, Art Nouveau and Art Deco movements into the mid-twentieth century. Most examples date from the interwar period of the 1920s and 1930s. Earlier nineteenth-century pieces tend to feature heavy gold settings and precious gemstones, whilst twentieth-century items frequently utilise silver and enamel.

How do I care for enamel and butterfly wing jewellery?

Enamel and butterfly wing pieces require gentle handling to protect fragile glass surfaces and organic materials from moisture and impact. Store them away from direct sunlight to prevent fading. Clean only with a dry microfibre cloth and avoid submerging butterfly wing items in water or chemical cleaning solutions.

How can I tell if an enamel brooch is Art Deco?

Art Deco pieces typically display geometric symmetry, stylised wing contours and vibrant guilloche enamel work set in sterling silver. They often incorporate filigree wire borders typical of the 1920s and 1930s. Makers from this era frequently marked their pieces with simple silver stamps or designer signatures on the reverse.

What is the difference between plique-a-jour and standard enamel?

Standard enamel is fired onto a solid metal backing plate, meaning light reflects off the metal underneath. Plique-a-jour has no backing metal, creating a stained-glass effect where light passes directly through the translucent colours. This open-backed technique is considerably harder to execute and is characteristic of fine Art Nouveau jewellery.

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Vintage Butterfly Jewellery

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Vintage butterfly jewellery brings together delicate winged motifs in silver, enamel and butterfly wing across periods from the Victorian era to the mid-century.