Vintage Attwood and Sawyer (A&S) large rhinestone lion brooch - signed, 22ct gold plated, unusual ruby red rhinestone eyes

Vintage Attwood and Sawyer large rhinestone encrusted 22ct gold plated lion brooch with clear rhinestones across the mane and around the nose, with large ruby red marquise cut rhinestones for eyes. The gold plate on the face is beautifully textured to show fur. This striking piece is a well known but harder to find example from these top quality makers. Most have either very pale yellow rhinestones or clear rhinestones across the whole face and mane (I believe other colour combinations were made and can often be found). This piece is signed A&S on the reverse.

The last picture shows Princess Diana's stepmother Raine Spencer sporting one of this range of brooches outside Diana's family home of Althorp in the 1980s. Founded in England in 1956 by Horace Attwood (Sawyer was a silent partner), Attwood & Sawyer produced copies of 18th- and 19th-century precious jewellery, many pieces for the Dallas and Dynasty TV series, and glittering diamante compositions for the Miss World competitions. It is in very good vintage condition.