Description
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An extremely rare antique Murrle Bennett Art Nouveau / Arts and Crafts pendant necklace, fully signed (pleasingly on the pendant and also, more unusually, on the chain) and in pristine condition. This has obviously been very well cared-for over the years. I have come across a smaller pendant in the past with a similar, very Art Nouveau type of design, however, I have never seen this beautiful design before. Undoubtedly significant in its support of the Suffragette movement of the day, and using the three colours associated with that-I love how the green is discrete in the two top sections of the pendant, with the flowers.
This is such a beautiful design by Murrle Bennett and shows well the marrying of the Art Nouveau motifs and Arts and Crafts ideals. The shield-shaped pendant is hand-hammered with a central blister pearl set in a fine millegrain gold setting. The warmth of the gold against the purity of the white pearl always makes me smile in these better MB pieces. There are stalks leading from the central blister pearl to each of the top corners, with a cluster of three silver flowers set in the green enamel sections.
A faceted amethyst drop completes the pendant. Two chains lead to the very large bale (all sorts of other chains would fit in here). The silver chain, which is original to the piece, culminates in a toggle fastener and the ring is stamped with both “SILVER” as well as the “MB&C” maker’s mark. The pendant is stamped clearly with both the silver standard mark “950” (higher silver purity) as well as the “MBo” maker’s mark. In excellent order-just the patina, which I have left-it would polish away quickly if you prefer your silver with more shine. The pendant measures approx 6.7cm from the bale at the top of the two chains and the length of the chain is approx 45cm (17.75 inches).
I shall send in a new gift box as the boxes in the images are for display only. Complimentary tracked and signed express postage is included. Thank you.
