A zoomorphic hummingbird brooch, circa 1870, an example of the Victorian penchant for wearing entomological and ornithological specimens. Ladies embellished their dresses with beetle carcasses and colourful feathers, hats were fashionably arranged with stuffed birds poised amidst foliage and goldsmiths made use of smaller birds in items of jewellery. The hummingbird was the most popular bird used in jewellery because of its colourful and iridescent plumage. From Godey’s Lady’s Book, December 1874, ‘Hummingbird ornaments are so desirable because they are in effect jewels themselves, their colours compare to gemstones … their glancing heads are like a scrap of flaming foil as they perch saucily with outspread wings.’ This ruby hummingbird with a gold beak and red glass eyes is set to an 18 carat gold brooch. The brooch measures one inch by one inch and the hummingbird is one inch tall from the base of the brooch. Immaculate.