NOW RESERVD – thank you!
A beautiful, Arts and Crafts hand crafted pendant of the finest quality from c1900, which looks very much like an unmarked Murrle Bennett piece. Typically, it has exquisite detailing and a small gold bale. Beautiful quality!
I adore the hammered work on the surface of the silver, which shows every hammer mark, reflecting the time taken to craft such a piece. I also love the way those small, hammered circular links have been “stapled” in their attachment to the pendant as a whole. I have seen this on one or two other Murrle Bennett pieces over the years. There are four of them inserted into the design, giving a fabulous open work form. Five bezel set opal doublets, with the largest being set at the centre of the design. It is especially lively, flashing blues, greens and pinky reds…very difficult to capture on the photos but please take my word-the photos do not do this piece justice.
It feels like quality in your hand and I expect it is 950 silver, as was typical for MB pieces. It comes with an antique silver barrel clasp chain which measures approx 40.5cm (16 inches). The pendant itself is approx 4cm by 3.6cm. In super order, no markings but the quality is obvious. Gold bale. Stunning design and the opal doublets merely elevate it!