Description
A wonderful Arts and Crafts brooch signed by Bernard Instone, which is a documented book piece. It appears on page 181 of the literature “Bernard Instone Designer and Craftsman; the art of a jeweller” by Tracy Henriksen. As you can see with the examples on that page, this was the more “opulent” of the three versions, with the use of blue foiled quartz cabochons, alongside sparkly white topaz stones and plum-coloured amethysts.
The deeply-tooled leaves are instantly recognisable as Bernard’s leaves and they appear here in different sizes, all draped strategically around the stone, as if to nestle them. The blue foiled quartz stones are vivid and bright. If you imagine the bluest adularescence from a Ceylon moonstone, then you have the shade that Bernard created with the foils. The sparkles of the other faceted stones act as twinkling highlights when the brooch is moved. This is such a fabulous twist on the flower bouquet brooch and a very attractive piece, which is heavy and sits squatly in your hand.
This brooch is part of a set that was designed by Bernard himself and I suspect that was in the late 1940s to c1950 era. There is a sketch for the suite that definitively shows it was prior to 1954. It measures approx 5.3 cm by 3cm and is in excellent condition. Stamped “MADE IN ENGLAND SILVER BI ” Super to have a signed piece. Some patina so would polish further.
I shall post by special delivery within the UK or else by international tracked and signed internationally. Please note the boxes in the images are not included, however I will send in a box to protect the piece. Thank you.
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