Description
A really very attractive, hand crafted brooch c1900, which from its design seems to be the work of one of the Glasgow School jewellers.
It is a precisely worked piece, with numerous motifs of that era. The lovely elongated oval of hammered silver has a cut-out either side of the opal. Both that feature and the hinge (strangely enough) remind me of pieces executed by Frances McNair.
The opal at the centre of the design, has clearly been utilised because of it beautiful colours. It shifts from speckled blues and aquas to orange. A highly coloured stone. A rope work detail has been added to the foot of the setting and further rope work detailing has been added to either side of the central stone. A horizontal line, culminating in three rope work circles overlaying each other. I believe they are representative of either trees or flowers-just on the horizontal rather than the vertical.
This is such a quality brooch-it is stamped on the reverse in old numbering “543” which is perhaps the design number. I would not be surprised to hear this piece had been made for Liberty & Co, as it certainly has that feel to it.
It measures approx 5.2cm in length. It will be sent in new gift box as the box in the images is for display purposes only. Thank you!
