Description
Oh my goodness! Speechless! I spend a lot of hours poring over the differences between some of Sibyl Dunlop and Amy Sandheim statement Arts and Crafts pieces, as they were contemporaries (friends actually; both in London and both members of the “Good Time Girls” group of female designers) creating similar pieces at times and the lines of attribution do occasionally get blurred. This fabulous necklace is a remarkable and spectacular piece to demonstrate how similar their work was at times. Hard to say who influenced who, although I prefer to believe their styles influenced each other. However, we are given clear evidence in this design and execution that this is actually a Sibyl Dunlop piece, and an early one at that….most likely 1920s.
It is an incredibly delicious piece of work, with the purple, lilac, blue, and white theme making a sumptuous statement. The variety of shapes and mainly with cabochon stones supports the Sibyl attribution. The use of trefoil designs in the silver work is also another Sibyl touch. The cathedralesque gothic arches combined with the trefoil motif fits too. The colour palette with its purples and blues is also a favourite of Sibyls. If you flip over the necklace you see the delicate work and how it is mainly flat, solid and well polished sections of silver….another indication the craftsperson was Sibyl. The absolute piece of evidence though is in the 4-stone spacer above the main pendant-Sibyl through and through and in fact, an early precursor of the “carpet of gems” design.
So many things to love about this piece-it is an astonishingly great shape with no damage to the stones, with original matching chain that still retains its hand-made toggle too. It is a remarkable piece. I love the 12 small faceted amethysts that bring extra sparkle to the piece. Also to love are the 4 long, slim rectangular chalcedony stones with their 6 claw settings. There are also four lively sugarloaf moonstones, which have a lot of adularescence as you can see in the images. I adore the original intricate A&C chain set with chalcedonies matching the pendant.
A museum quality piece in design and condition and one, which will certainly make its new owner smile, and smile…..The drop of the pendant section from the top spacer is approx 12.4cm and the main pendant measures approx 7.6cm by 6.8cm. The wearable length of the chain is approx 62cm (24.5 inches).
I shall send in a necklace presentation box (not the box in the images) and send by complimentary express courier internationally or else by special delivery within the UK. Thank you.
Ref:czf
