Silver and gold diamond butterfly brooch, manner of René Boivin
An early to mid 20th century silver and gold butterfly brooch, with diamond point wings, seed pearl and red gem eyes, in the manner of René Boivin.
Boivin began as an apprentice goldsmith; by 1890, he was successful enough to found his own workshop.
Three years later he married Jeanne Poiret, sister of the renowned couturier who introduced him to Parisian high society. By 1905 he stopped designing for classic French jewellery houses to focus on private clients. After René died in 1917, Jeanne assumed control of the business, together with the couple’s youngest daughter Germaine and the designers Suzanne Belperron and Juliette Moutard.
When Jeanne herself died in 1959, Germaine took over, remaining in charge until Boivin was sold in 1976. Their use of innovative designers and materials created bold designs that remain sought after to this day.
This brooch features a ringed body that we have only seen in clips by Boivin, where the wings are hinged to a central spring. See the links here and here for two butterfly clips sold by Dawsons auctioneers on the 19th of June 2025and Tajan auctioneers on the 8th of December 2020.
Lamentably this piece has been converted to a brooch, with replacement fittings which has removed any maker’s marks that may have been on the piece.
Seed pearl untested for natural origin.
Marks:
Apparently unmarked with regard metal or maker.
Date:
Circa 1930-1940.
Length:
2.2cms.
Condition:
Replacement brooch fittings, converted from a clip. Small marks in keeping with conversion.
General slight marks in keeping with wear.
By clicking to ‘Purchase’ you agree to having read the Important Information for Purchasers.
Our primary concern is that you are pleased with your purchase. Please feel free to ask as many questions as you like about a product before clicking purchase. We appreciate patina and the ‘age’ that older pieces acquire, because of this we do not polish pieces to strip away the age (though your local jeweller may be willing to do this for you for a small fee). Secondhand, vintage and antique pieces will naturally show scratches and small marks, these will often appear more noticeable in the enlarged images that we have made available for you. Our images are as realistic as they can be. Although any appreciable defects/damages will be mentioned please do inspect the images as they do form a part of the condition report.
Antique items may longer not be suitable for everyday wear or may benefit from thoughtful consideration when worn with care.
An early to mid 20th century silver and gold butterfly brooch, with diamond point wings, seed pearl and red gem eyes, in the manner of René Boivin.
Boivin began as an apprentice goldsmith; by 1890, he was successful enough to found his own workshop.
Three years later he married Jeanne Poiret, sister of the renowned couturier who introduced him to Parisian high society. By 1905 he stopped designing for classic French jewellery houses to focus on private clients. After René died in 1917, Jeanne assumed control of the business, together with the couple’s youngest daughter Germaine and the designers Suzanne Belperron and Juliette Moutard.
When Jeanne herself died in 1959, Germaine took over, remaining in charge until Boivin was sold in 1976. Their use of innovative designers and materials created bold designs that remain sought after to this day.
This brooch features a ringed body that we have only seen in clips by Boivin, where the wings are hinged to a central spring. See the links here and here for two butterfly clips sold by Dawsons auctioneers on the 19th of June 2025and Tajan auctioneers on the 8th of December 2020.
Lamentably this piece has been converted to a brooch, with replacement fittings which has removed any maker’s marks that may have been on the piece.
Seed pearl untested for natural origin.
Marks:
Apparently unmarked with regard metal or maker.
Date:
Circa 1930-1940.
Length:
2.2cms.
Condition:
Replacement brooch fittings, converted from a clip. Small marks in keeping with conversion.
General slight marks in keeping with wear.
By clicking to ‘Purchase’ you agree to having read the Important Information for Purchasers.
Our primary concern is that you are pleased with your purchase. Please feel free to ask as many questions as you like about a product before clicking purchase. We appreciate patina and the ‘age’ that older pieces acquire, because of this we do not polish pieces to strip away the age (though your local jeweller may be willing to do this for you for a small fee). Secondhand, vintage and antique pieces will naturally show scratches and small marks, these will often appear more noticeable in the enlarged images that we have made available for you. Our images are as realistic as they can be. Although any appreciable defects/damages will be mentioned please do inspect the images as they do form a part of the condition report.
Antique items may longer not be suitable for everyday wear or may benefit from thoughtful consideration when worn with care.