Description
I am so wowed by this sumptuous demi-parure by Bernard Instone, in the 1920s. They are most likely one-off pieces, having been possibly an experiment with this beautiful art glass, designed to replicate the look of jade. The work and exquisite detailing that has gone into this set is most impressive. The vivid greens from the apple green chrysoprase stones, as well as from the jade glass is so attractive. Both earrings and brooch are set in hand-crafted foliate designs and detailed with gold balls throughout. They are extravagant and opulent examples of his early work, particularly those chandelier style drop earrings.
These exquisite earrings are sectioned into three parts, which was typical of Bernard in this chandelier-style earring design. The first section, sitting at the lobe, is round, decorated with hand-tooled leaves and is set with a bright apple green chrysoprase. The same design continues onto the next section, which is rectangular, emphasising the vertical nature of the earrings. The large art glass jade drop is fabulous; glossy and with artists inclusion lines replicating real stone. The silver cap of leaves detailing is beautiful. There are gold balls (berries) set among the leaves throughout the design. The earrings retain their original 9ct gold screw backs and if you flip them over you see also the wonderfully clean way Bernard finished his pieces. They make such an elegant statement and measure approx 5.3cm in height.
The matching brooch also shows a large example of this jade glass, with naturalistic colour variations. It is set with a vivid chrysoprase stone at the cardinal points and the gold balls intersperse the leaves here too. The snake’s tongue double claws you see here, were used on a number of the better pieces by Bernard in the 1920s era. The halo of leaves’ work around the central stone is beautiful and demonstrates, once again, the high level of quality in these amazing early pieces. If you flip her over, you see the typical Bernard coils’ work to neaten the verso, so that you gain an appreciation of the amount of hours taken to craft pieces like this. The measurement of the brooch is approx 4.6cm by 4.2cm.
A glorious set and in such stunning condition. Superb examples all round!
I shall post by special delivery within the UK or else by courier internationally. Please note the boxes in the images are not included, however I will send in new boxes for their safekeeping. Thank you.
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