Description
This piece is amazing. It was purchased in Glasgow and I immediately thought of the Artificer’s Guild. As you can see, although it is fairly naive in its structure (look at it from the reverse), it is actually a complex piece of work, which was undoubtedly time consuming for the maker. Definitely early years of the 20th Century. I did even consider Mary Thew.
Several features lead me to Thew. Firstly, the four corner sections have a structure of silver, which I have seen on a dress clip by Thew previously-it is a sort of flattened wire. In each corner there are three graduated tiny silver balls-again in keeping with Thew’s work. The twisted rope work at the foot of the large stone is typical, as are the small flower motifs. More than that I cannot say. The stones are opals (or so I was told by the Auction house) and I am assuming because of their vivid purple flashes, must be foiled. The large stone has a twisted line of what looks like egg albumen in it….very unusual. It measures approx 1.4cm by 1.1cm. As you move the stones-you get transfixed by the colours from pinks to oranges. In fact I wonder whether they are jelly opals?
A lovely, delicate thing, which my jewellers have already repaired-the front left section had a piece of silver work that had detached. You are not buying a perfect piece (and you will have to treasure her) but you are buying a magically beautiful piece of historic Arts and Crafts work. Add a bale to the loop and you get two pieces of jewellery you can wear – a brooch and a pendant.
She measures approx 3.6cm by 3.4cm. A really very beautiful design with spectacular stones. The box is not included but I will send her to you in another box for safe keeping.
PLEASE NOTE I CAN NOW NO LONGER SEND TO GERMANY DUE TO CHANGES IN PACKAGING LAWS THERE.
