Posted 9 years ago
kiwipaul
(117 items)
This Liberty & Co pendant is big, it's 50mm (2in) long, and the high domed turquoise cabochon is 35 x 20mm.
It's unmarked sterling silver wire-work, with applied honesty leaf details.
According to Stephen Martin in his essay "The Jewellery Designs of Archibald Knox" (Google this to download a pdf), these Knox designs with plant motifs are from his early period to 1900.
One of the "tells" for these pieces is the mill-grain edge on the bezel, which you can see on several earlier pieces I've listed, including the first one, the wire-work silver and moonstone pendant.
OUTSTANDING!!!
Yep, a lovely piece. Is it true Brad Pitt collects Mr Knox? you never know he might set up a Museum, which would be great.
Hi Jean, yes it is true, apparently he has amassed an extraordinary collection, and he named one of his children Knox, although it is also a family name, you can read more here: http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=newsarchive&sid=a.vMonVflZ2c
This is really nice. I love the rare finds. I especially like how it bedazzles you with color
Another superb piece, Paul :-)
Those spider web turquoises are dreamful stones who tell stories!
Hi Kyra, Yes it's a richly veined turquoise. Stephen Martin says, "In keeping with the Arts and Crafts tradition, Knox selected a variety of semi-precious stones for his designs but seemed to gravitate towards the blue-green colour scheme of turquoise and opal. Although Persia was the principle source of turquoise at this time, I believe that Liberty’s also employed turquoise stones that were being mined in the American southwest and first came on to the market in the 1890s".
I have one more Knox opal item I'm saving for a CW Collection I'm putting together on the history of Australian opals, watch this space in a couple of months.
A lovely piece Paul. I've not seen this design before.
Thanks Jewels, and thanks for your input on the first few pieces I put on CW. If you look at the first two pieces in the Collection I've just created (Liberty & Co Jewellery) you'll see I've followed up on your comments re the Gaskins and Bernard Cuzner.
Finding this piece recently made me re-think the earlier Liberty & Co pieces, and I'm now confident most of them were by Knox. Cheers, we must get together for a drink next time I'm in Sydney, or if you ever come to Auckland.
Super Paul. I'll drop by & have a look tonight when I have more time. I'm interested to see what you've been up to. The thing with Knox, I find, is that he was so prolific that I suspect he designed a lot more for Liberty than can be obviously identified. So it starts to get a bit murky in my mind.
What stands out about his designs, for me, is his unique interpretation of the organic line. Do you know what I mean? He has a ridgeness to it that is almost anti-organic. I guess that comes from the strong celtic approach.
Anyway, the good news for me is that you didn't take my comments as being rude which I later thought might have happened. I like a bit robust discussion when it comes to what makes a good attribution. In person, its fun but online can seem a little pushy. I'm always questioning myself as well.
Drinks would be good, let me know what you're up to. I live & work centrally.
Got a nice bit of Liberty coming ...
I'm also very interested in the relationship or link between Knox/Liberty and the Anglo-Celtic jewellery makers. Particularly those pieces with the little rubies & gemstones that are unmarked. Do you know the ones I'm referring to?
Hi Jewels, not sure which ones you mean with rubies & gemstones, if you like you can email me a link to: rennes@xtra.co.nz
Could that nice bit of Liberty be a big silver butterfly shape with turquoises on the wings, and the 1903/4 quatrefoil stamp?
No it's not, but I did have a punt on that one. Loved the design but it needed some expensive restoration. My one is via a dealer in the UK. It's a version of one Belle Epoque has. With leaves and mother of pearl.
Also recently got a festoon enamel Liberty necklace. Needs some restoration but those are getting so rare now.
Will post photos when I have time (and some nice sunshine).
This one - http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/105742-arts-and-crafts-mother-of-pearl-and-silver
I love the way Liberty made all different versions of the same design.
This is so beautiful!!
Hi Paul. I just posted the unmarked pendant I was talking about. I'll also post a Cuzner brooch for you. Good example of Cuzner's leaf work.