Description
A sensational thing! Clearly created by Sibyl Dunlop and I am assuming c1928-1930, due to the particular scroll work designs in the framework of the brooch. I cannot fathom that there is another of these-so it is surely a one-off. A rare pleasure to find a huge Caribbean Blue apatite gemstone at the centre of this design and then old-cut diamonds set at the compass points. A brooch of heritage and quite possibly a private commission due to the uniqueness of the use of apatite. Perhaps it was a colour match to a particular outfit; no doubt the colour was of great importance.
Hand wrought so not exactly symmetrical…I love looking at the sections that differ slightly from their opposing partners. That could just be in how far a leaf curls at the end of the spacing between leaves and so on. Tiny variations but indicative of the hand crafted element to the work. Leaf work and scroll open work detailing covers the framework around this startling Scissor cut (a rare cut for stones) Caribbean Blue apatite stone. Apatite is a stone seldom used in jewellery as it is a fairly soft stone and therefore, not as robust as others used more commonly in jewellery. This Caribbean Blue version of the stone is so called because of the vibrancy of the natural turquoise blue colour.
A typical Sibyl etched silver gilt setting retains the stone. There are a set of these etched silver gilt lines falling at every corner. Then the old-cut diamonds (tested as diamonds) are bezel set in the centre of the largest ornate panels, at the four main compass points. The old cut is another indication of the age of the piece. The large and thick C catch is crafted in solid gold and the original hinge and straight pin are retained. A bundle of joy and a complete rarity. The apatite alone measures approx 2.4cm by 1.6cm so makes a huge statement. It is quite incredible actually to think that this colour is from a natural stone.
The brooch measures approx 4.3cm wide (including the pin) by approx 3.4cm in height. A beautiful thing but please remember to wear “carefully” as it is a delicate stone. There is some appropriate age-related wear to the stone, which can be found on inspection…a couple of small scratches and some general wear (see last image).
I will send in the box it came to me in…from a bespoke outfitters in London, that has held the Royal Warrant since 1783. You can see it has been housed in this box for a while as the line of the pin has made a lovely indentation in the velvet. She seems to have made herself very cosy in this nest so it will stay with her.
International delivery with UPS and Royal Mail Special Delivery for domestic delivery.
