An important, impressive and exceedingly rare Arts and Crafts brooch by Edward Spencer, c1905 for the Artificers’ Guild. Well documented over the years as an Artificers’ Guild piece-it is in superb order and could easily be a museum piece. It is breathtakingly impressive with its beautiful open work design. Just fabulous!
Edward Spencer produced some of the most beautiful Arts and Crafts work of the period and was one of the leading lights of the British Arts and Crafts’ movement of the era. I have pictured the brooch next to another Artificers’ Guild piece on page 114 of the Elyse Zorn Karlin’s book “Jewelry and Metalwork in the Arts & Crafts Tradition”. Her book references both the Artificers’ Guild, as well as Edward Spencer.
The wonderful, large and domed silver structure is solid and yet, so finely worked. It appears light and ethereal and stunningly romantic. Yet, it is strong and complex in its design. At the centre of the brooch sits a domed blue chalcedony stone, which maintains this appearance of lightness. A typical A&C twisted rope work sits at the base of the stone’s setting.
The brooch is divided into four sections by parallel lines of the same rope work detailing. At each of the compass positions sits a large, flattened rivet type of detail, which is associated with the designs of the Artificers’ Guild. Further flattened rivets sit in each quadrant, along with another typical Artificers’ Guild motif – the cluster of three small silver berries.
An exceptional piece of work, inspired design and excellent execution. It is of the standard of silversmithing that you rarely come across. Significant in size, with a diameter of approx 6.7cm. A stately piece in all original condition…even the pin is straight. She’s a beauty!!
I will package this superb brooch carefully and post with Special Delivery or else International Tracked and Signed. The box in the images is for display purposes only. Thank you!
