Description
RESERVED for A ONLY-thank you *********************************************************
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This is a sensationally rare, hand-crafted piece of signed Murrle Bennett design from the c1900 era. It has been closeted away for the last 50 years or more, so is a new piece to the market. I have only ever seen this design once before but that particular example did not have its original heart and enamel leaves drop below the main panel. This necklace is complete and could easily be worthy of being a Museum piece of work to showcase Murrle Bennett’s at Nouveau designs.
It is so incredibly beautiful with a central panel of organic and sinuous roots, hence my calling it a “tree of life” design – you may well see something else in it. It is one of the most sumptuous examples of work I have come across by Murrle Bennett. The central plaque features a mille grain set blister pearl around which are all of those sinuous and organic lines, leading to alternate enamel circles, alternating from green to blue and also graduating in size from the largest at the top to the smallest at the bottom of the design. The enamels are so vibrant in colour. Below the main plaque is suspended a small, hand hammered heart with two enamel leaves draped at the top. They are a mixture of green and blue enamel.
Two sets of chains on either side lead to silver and enamel spacers, matching the design of the drop. The necklace is in such pleasing condition, with original chains. At some point there has been a catch replacement. The verso of the pendant is signed with the “950” mark for silver quality higher than that of sterling and also the Murrle Bennett maker’s mark “MBo”. The height of the main plaque and drop section is approx 4cm and the wearable length of the chain is approx 42.5cm (16.75 inches). Many of the Murrle Bennett pieces were sold at Liberty’s of London.
I will send in a necklace presentation box by express courier internationally or else by Special Delivery within the UK. The box in the images is for display only-thank you.
