Description
A beautiful, large hand-crafted Arts and Crafts brooch firmly attributed to Mary Thew (one of the Glasgow Girls) in the earlier years of the twentieth century. It demonstrates beautifully her unique silver wire work and placement of graduated silver balls to decorate the basic foliate design. This is particularly detailed piece of jewellery and as such, must have taken hours and hours to create. The leaves are layered densely over the top of each other, which gives such a 3D feel to this large brooch.
There are numerous elements which I have seen before on Mary pieces. The single balls and clusters of balls, the distinctive hand-created leaves and also the snipped collet settings for the moonstones. The Ceylon stones are large and have a strong adularescence as you are able to see in the images. Those vivid blue flashes that are particularly indicative of Ceylon blue moonstones.
All of the detailing has been applied to a flat rectangular plaque, with three cut-out sections to allow the light to pass through the moonstones, for best effect. This is a heavy and impressive jewel which simply cannot fail to impress.
In such pleasing condition, both silver and stones, it has clearly been cosseted for many a year. Some patina so she would polish further if that is what you prefer. This delightful brooch measures approx 5.6cm by approx 3cm. It is a highly detailed and elaborate work showing many of Mary Thew’s skills, both as a designer and as a silversmith.
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.
Ref:dce
