The bunny designed as a waiter carrying a drink tray and a champagne bucket, set with round and emerald-cut diamonds, accented with buff-top rubies and sapphires, further set with calibré-cut emeralds, highlighted with enamel in various hues, signed Yard; circa 1935.

In good condition with some gentle scratching to the platinum, mainly on the reverse. The diamonds are approximately G-I color, predominantly VS clarity. The buff-top rubies are a medium-deep slightly pinkish red, slightly to moderately included. The sapphires are a medium violetish blue and slightly to moderately included, with a small chip on one of the stones. The calibré-cut emeralds are medium slightly bluish green and moderately included. Very minor enamel loss, mainly located on the shoes of the waiter, but otherwise intact and in good condition. Signed on an applied plaque on the reverse. Length of brooch approximately 1 3/4 inches.
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion. Illustrations in the catalogue may not be actual size. Prospective purchasers are reminded that, unless the catalogue description specifically states that a stone is natural, we have assumed that some form of treatment may have been used and that such treatment may not be permanent. Our presale estimates reflect this assumption.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

Brooches of similar design are illustrated in Yard: The Life and Magnificent Jewelry of Raymond C. Yard by Natasha Kuzmanovic, pages 156-157.

Raymond Yard (1885-1964) began his jewelry career at the tender age of 13, eventually graduating to opening his own shop in 1922 on Fifth Ave. An instant success, Yard’s designs emulated the quiet style and luxury of his prominent and wealthy clients. The perfect example of the subtle style that Yard became known for was his highly collectible ‘Rabbit’ series. First appearing in 1928, the dapper bunny wore a top hat, carrying a walking stick and a bouquet. The design eventually graduated to the whimsical ‘Rabbit Waiter’ often seen carrying cocktails with an enameled champagne bottle in an articulated diamond-set ice bucket. Careful to make sure that every client felt that their piece was unique and special, each rabbit is slightly different to the next with the use of different colors in the enamel, the gemstone use, the position of the rabbit and so forth. The design, while a possible nod to the Prohibition laws at the time of creation, carries a certain whimsy for collectors today.