Diamond and gem set thistle brooch, circa 1953, modelled as a bouquet, the stamen collet-set with oval sapphires, the petals, leaves and ribbon-bow pave-set with single-cut diamonds, the stalks accented with baguette diamonds between buds decorated with diamonds and calibre-cut synthetic sapphires, the natural sapphires and diamonds together weighing approximately 3.60 carats and 10.37 carats respectively, mounted in platinum and 18ct gold, length 75 mm, width 60 mm. Provenance: by family tradition, this brooch was purchased at Hardy Bros. Sydney in 1953.