Cat intagli + a bumblebee

Cats are much harder to find as they were not cherished as much as dogs.

You will find BIG cats, as in the 1st photo. I have seen a wonderful lion at an antique show but the owner wanted $3500 for it!

The top brooch in photo 1 is quite interesting. It is a regimental brooch consisting of 2 tiger claws with 14K gold ends, centered above is an elephant with a howdah in sterling and yellow gold on a blue enamel “saddle-pad” background. Between the claws is a fine reverse carved rock crystal intaglio crystal painting of a tiger. Above the elephant is a white enamel ribbon inscribed with three major Indian battles: Amboor, Assaye, Ava

Inscribed on the back panel of 14K gold: From WC to SC In remembrance of the many happy years passed in the old 10th Reg't M.N.I 2nd Feb 1869 [(MNI=Madras Native Infantry)]. The elephant is the Honorary badge awarded to the MNI after the battle of Assaye.

The leopard is mounted in 18k, then later framed in a gold-filled mounting with enamel flowers.

Photo 2 has two tabbies:
- red tabby set in gold with a diamond and ruby surround
- brown tabby in hammered gold with diamond edge

Photo 3 are stickpins
- brown tabby with diamond surround
- rare Georgian stickpin of a cat carved on agate
- a hissing tabby with arched back

And finally, a wonderful reverse carved intaglio of a bumblebee set in a marvelous granulated gold frame.