Description
RESERVED for S only *********************************************
An exceptional find-a c1900 English Arts and Crafts brooch with a large and hugely lively opal. For me, it is most likely an opal from Lightning Ridge in Australia. I actually don’t think I have come across such a large opal in an English Arts and Crafts brooch before. (It measures approx 2cm by 1.5cm) The brooch is definitely c1900-1905 and I have seen the work of this maker twice before, in items I have sold over the years. It is probably by a Birmingham silversmith who made a small range of “Dawn Reg’d” Arts and Crafts items for Liberty & Co of London. The leaves on this brooch are identical on the two other examples I have seen, however, on this wonderful brooch they are highlighted in gold.
The opal is highly colourful, with vibrant lime greens, turquoise and purples. I adore the fact that the opal is bezel-set and has several ovals of silver acting as a halo to it. The stylised gold leaves flank a flower detail which is very distinctive. A little circle, containing three silver balls. Very typical of the Birmingham School jewellers. Flip the brooch over and look at the verso, you will see a very distinctive silver framework, consisting of four arched silver wires, each ending in a spiral of silver. This feature sings the design style of William Thomas Blackband, however, I just don’t have enough concrete details to assign a definite designer attribution.
A stunningly gorgeous piece with patina, as you can see, but which you can polish away if you prefer. All original, including pin and simple C clasp. Very little wear to the opal for her age…there are natural fissure lines in the opal but I don’t believe it is damage, rather a natural characteristic of the opal. It measures approx 4.3cm by 3.9cm.
I shall send in a gift box by Special Delivery within the UK or else by International Express courier. Boxes in the images are for display only and are not included. Thank you.
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