Animal jewels

[fairy]

I love dragonflies and butterflies, but have to admit they are a rather commonly used (almost over-used) theme.
In a way I have to give it to Maxima for going completely out of the ordinary by branching out into completely new insect territory...if you look at the body of a butterfly it doesn't really look cute, not any cuter really as a moth, or any hairy insect, yet the wings turn it into something magnificent.
I remember back in the old days when I supplemented my meager college-student-income with hosting jobs, I was handed the mink coat of a guest..-and promptly dropped it with a shriek - it had a life-like tarantula-brooch, much like Maxima's, the husband picked up the coat and said with an apologising smile: "It is rather awful, isn't it? I told her to pick the bumblebees"

[bumbershoot]

Wallis the Duchess of Windsor had quite a few animal pieces, including this rather spectacular flamingo.

https://theadventurine.co...windsors-flamingo-brooch/

[Lady Liebe]

I'm not so fond of jeweled insects brooches, not to mention wearing a jeweled snake- not for me, thank you! A medium size tiara of flowers and butterflies might be nice, if it was done well. Fairy's right - the butterfly body is reminiscent of the caterpillar it was before.

Personally, I would love to have an enameled pin of a Mourning Cloak butterfly.  

I've always admired Wallis' Big Cat jewels:

[Cordelia Fitzgerald]

Has Kate ever worn that wonderful brooch with the polar bear she was given in Canada?

Also am I making this up or does some royal lady have a pair of earrings that is basically an alligator hanging from/biting the earlobe?  I feel like I may be making that up, but equally, I can visualize them quite well (they're silver!).

[Principessa]

[Principessa]

The Peacock tiara of the Luxembourg RF:



Made by Van Cleef & Arpels for Grand Duchess Josephine Charlotte, using two pendants that had belonged to her mother, Queen Astrid, the Emerald Peacock Tiara was more frequently worn by her as a necklace. The Tiara has been worn by Grand Duchess Maria Theresa, Princess Tessy, and Archduchess Marie Astrid.

[Principessa]