Tested yellow gold 585. 5.1 x 4.3 cm. 21,3 g.

Historical micromosaic brooch likely from the estate of Auguste von Harrach, Princess of Liegnitz (1800-1873), second wife of the Prussian King Frederick William III (1770-1840). In a richly decorated gold frame, the mosaic image of a green parrot with a yellow head and individual red feathers on its tail and wings sitting on a pole with a bowl. According to tradition, the animal depicted is said to be the Princess's favorite parrot, and the brooch itself is said to have been commissioned by Frederick William III as a gift to his wife. A mosaic stone at the base of the wing is missing.

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Literature : Liegnitz, Fürstin von (Gräfin Auguste von Harrach, 2. morganatische Gemahlin Friedrich Wilhelms III.): Ableben und letztwillige Verfügung der Fürstin von Liegnitz, I. HA Rep. 100, Nr. 2464 (Altsignatur 3: HA., Rep. 49, R II Nr. 2) Geheimes Staatsarchiv Preußischer Kulturbesitz. Habermann, Gisela and Paul: Fürstin von Liegnitz: ein Leben im Schatten der Königin Luise, Berlin 1988. Harrach, Wichard Graf von: Auguste Fürstin von Liegnitz, ihre Jahre an der Seite König Friedrich Wilhelms III. von Preussen (1824-1840), Berlin 1987.

Provenance : Enclosed is a handwritten note written by Laura von Safft, née von Sichart: [English translation] "This brooch was inherited by Auguste von Lemberg née von Safft [daughter of Laura von Safft] on the death of Princess of Liegnitz, 2nd wife of King Frederick William III, as her godchild. It was a gift from the King to the Princess and depicted her parrot in mosaic. L. von Safft née v. Sichart. [Biographical details below, added by two later hands up to the consignor's grandmother]" A further note from the consignor's grandmother, written on the occasion of gifting the brooch to her daughter-in-law one Christmas, has also been enclosed: [English translation] "This brooch comes from the estate of King Frederick William III. After the death of Queen Luise, he had her parrot carved in mosaic for his second wife, the Princess of Liegnitz. My great-grandmother's (Ida v. Wedel née v. Safft) sister Auguste v. Lemberg née v. Safft inherited the brooch as the Princess's godchild. Mrs. v. Lemberg bequeathed it to her granddaughter Ella Jaeckel, who gave it to me as a gift. [Name] Passed on to [name of last owner] Christmas 1983". A NOTE FROM THE AUCTION HOUSE: The provenance of the transfer by inheritance cannot be proven by the will of the Princess of Liegnitz. However, it is quite plausible that it was passed on as a gift during her lifetime or after her death by her family for commemorative purposes, in keeping with princely gift-giving practices. Auguste von Lemberg, née von Safft, and her daughter Lucie Jaeckel, née von Lemberg, who are recorded on the note of ownership enclosed with the brooch, were however beneficiaries of the Princess' will: in the 1st codicil (fol. 22), a payment is made to Auguste von Lemberg: [English translation] "To Mrs. Auguste von Lemberg, née von Safft in Hirschberg, I leave the sum of 2000 rt.". The 9th codicil stipulates financial support for her daughter Lucie von Lemberg from the Princess's estate, to be paid until her then-fiancé and later husband, a Lieutenant Jaeckel, has reached the rank of a 1st class Captain. (cf. fol. 31). These testamentary gifts from the Princess to the two aforementioned people suggest a close and friendly relationship, which is supported by letters from Auguste von Harrach; for example, she temporarily lodged a close friend in Auguste von Safft's parents' house for a visit or asked her mother Laura von Safft for advice on choosing a nanny for her nephew Ferdinand (cf. Harrach, Wichard von, pp. 69 and 147). The Princess's fondness for parrots is also documented; for example, in one letter she mentions a pet she kept that could say "Auguste, du Spitzbub" (English: "Auguste, you rogue"), "Auguste bonjour" and "Auguste adieu" (cf. Harrach, Wichard von, p. 124); according to the well-known salonnière Rahel Varnhagen, another of her parrots was given as a gift to the opera singer Henriette Sontag by Frederick William III in 1827 (cf. Habermann, Paul und Gisela, p. 80). Additionally, the style of the brooch as a micromosaic work corresponds not only to the fashionable taste of the time, but also to King Frederick William III's personal taste in art, which was very much oriented towards Italian art. Against this background and according to the handwritten documentation, a gift of the brooch to Auguste von Lemberg (probably during the Princess' lifetime) and a passing on within her female descendants seems plausible, but cannot be proven with absolute certainty.