At first glance this brooch suggested to me traditional Canadian Indian artwork of the Pacific coast. In that tradition, winged bird images with symbols within the outline of the wings are common. Best examples I can find quickly are within this link:
I think the brooch works a bit better seen from a few feet away than in closeup. I like the reference to the historic scepter and to the notions of unity and peace. But I agree that the brooch is rather busy and is an odd juxtaposition of abstract (the dove outline) and figural (the flowers). The result does not cohere. Another issue I think comes from the attempt to make a substantially scaled piece, but with very small gems. (Small gems presented design and visibility issues too for the flower brooch the Queen received earlier in the jubilee year.) Gifts of old often had sizeable gems to carry the design and give a sense of importance. With tiny gems the design and the setting become very significant to the success of the piece.
--Previous Message-- : British Jewellers create sparkling Diamond : Jubilee gift for the Queen, which she wore : to church at Sandringham on Christmas : morning : : Members of the British Jewellers’ : Association, the national trade body which : represents the UK’s jewellery sector, have : created a spectacular platinum, gold and : diamond brooch which was given to Her : Majesty the Queen on 5th December, 2012 in : celebration of her Diamond Jubilee Year. : The design for the brooch was chosen by a : panel of industry experts following a : national competition open to all UK based : jewellery designers. The winner was Ivonna : Poplanska, a student at The Goldsmiths’ : Centre in Clerkenwell, London. : Poplanska (26) who is originally from : Latvia, came to England in 2005 to study for : a BA in Silversmithing, Goldsmithing and : Jewellery Design at the University for the : Creative Arts in Rochester. She was then : chosen as one of the first intake of Post : Graduate students at The Goldsmiths’ Centre : where she has been studying painting and : drawing, 3D model making and CAD. : Her design entitled ‘The Eternal Dove’ is : loosely based on the 'Sceptre with Dove’ an : item in the Crown Jewels which, was made for : the Coronation of King Charles 11 in 1661. : The dove, which is in flight, encompasses : four flowers –the shamrock, the daffodil, : the thistle and the rose - chosen to : represent the countries of the United : Kingdom. These are made in rare Irish, : Welsh, Scottish and English gold which has : been donated by enthusiastic local : prospectors. Natural coloured diamonds have : been used to highlight these flowers. : Entwined holly leaves also feature in the : design symbolising unity, while the dove : stands for peace. : “All the precious metal and gemstones used : in the brooch were donated to the BJA and : our members also gave generously of their : skills and production expertise to create it : in Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter. The : production utilised the very latest : technologies, provided through Weston : Beamor, and married them with traditional, : hand skills from Ian Hall at Lasting : Impressions. The finished piece is a : tremendous testament to the high levels of : craftsmanship that exists amongst members of : The British Jewellers’ Association,” says : the BJA’s chief executive Simon Rainer. : “Jewellery has always been associated with : royalty and we felt it fitting that The BJA, : which this year celebrates the 125th : Anniversary of its founding, should : celebrate this special year by creating this : exquisite, commemorative brooch which will : hopefully carve its own niche in history,” : says Lindsey Straughton the BJA’s Marketing : and PR Manager. : : :