Description
Currently RESERVD for H ***** Thank you.
An impressive and hugely important piece of c1905 British Arts and Crafts design by the wonderful KATE EADIE, of Birmingham’s Vittoria Street School. The demand and interest in her pieces has really sky-rocketed over the last 18 months or so, meaning that the very rare pieces that do turn up, are usually quickly purchased and taken off the market again.
Kate was part of the Birmingham School of artists, designers and craftsmen and she was the muse and wife of Sidney Meteyard, the great Pre-Raphaelite painter in the same group. She often appeared in his paintings and was well-accepted to be his muse.
She was a staggeringly talented jewellery designer and maker, who received accolades even during her time at school, for the quality and detailing of her work. She was a contemporary of Bernard Instone and also of George Hunt at the school.
The overall form of the ring is very unusual for Eadie and to me, represents an insect with the smaller black opal being the head and the two fanned out sections with studs and so on, being the outstretched wings. An amazing design and undoubtedly a one-off. The opals are sensational!
This ring displays many of her typical features, small detailing and wire work representing leaf shapes, lots of squared teeth holding the stone in place, two hugely colourful black opals which have blues, greens and reds in abundance! There are also four gold wheel-type studs appearing in the design. positions-three in yellow gold and the bottom one in the S position in red gold….superlative design.
One silver stud and a rope work twist circle below the gold studs on each shoulder and then the typical double shank, which the Arts and Crafts designers often favoured.
The ring measures as approx a UK O and a US 7- 7.25 Bound to be snapped up as it is tricky to buy these antique pieces in the more generous sizes. In excellent condition, both silver / gold work and the stones.
A beautiful thing indeed which will be sent by International Tracked and Signed. Box is for display purposes only. Thank you!
