Posted 5 years ago
Hollyhocks
(18 items)
I purchased this lovely piece some time ago in Sydney at a large , now what should I call it , let’s say architectural outlet. There are a few jewellery cabinets with quite nice items. I spied this very pretty and large opal brooch in one of the cabinets, it is 2 inches across. This was well before I became really interested in Arts and Crafts jewellery. I have always been interested in jewellery but had not zoned in especially on the pieces I now desire. I found this little plaque on the back which is really quite hidden and very hard to see with the naked eye.... well my naked eyes anyway. I love this brooch and wore it to the wonderful jewellery exhibition held in Canberra last year.
Rhoda Wager !!!! WOW !!!
Oh oh ooohhh!!! Splendid! And Signed :-D
BRAVO!
Wow it’s beautiful, and has Kevin says Rhoda Wager. That opal is absolutely stunningly gorgeous. Sue you are very lucky to have this outstanding piece well done you have a good eye. One question, from the photo’s I can’t tell if the frame is gold or silver.
Hello Vetraio50 cheers ! thanks for the WOW . I thought a bit of natures beauty wouldn't go a miss at the moment.
Hello Kyratango, Yes signed :) I think at the time I purchased this I didn't really realise how special it was to have a piece signed. I am puffing my chest out now though will your lovely comment :)
Oh Jean thanks so much for the compliment I really appreciate that. The frame is silver but I have to say it has not darkened like some of my other silver pieces. I took this picture just on an outside table in natural light, you only have to move the brooch slightly and all these different colours come up and shout at you ! Thanks again Jean I love hearing from you.
The back of the opal is not depicted but fire opals of this size are often actually doublets (opal glued to a base of obsidian, potch, host rock or basalt). Wager did make opal doublets. Sometimes it is difficult to tell without unsetting the stone, unless the back is completely different.
Thanks for that information IVAN49 . I appreciate your comments about opals.
Beautiful Colors :)
Thanks Trey, just what we need right now something beautiful to look at.
That is really quite a good thing. The old doublets can chip quite easily so best keep it in a pouch and handle it carefully.
Oh Heck Jewels 1900 , just as well you told me as I have it in a box with others items. I will put it in a pouch right now. These things I really need to learn. Thanks so much I would hate to chip it.
What an amazing piece!!! I know it's got to be so much more in person! You did really well as one of your first pieces in your collection. I just read some of the comments and would like to mention something not yet said. With pearls and opals, be sure not to put them on before you use hair spray or perfume, that will make them dull and they will never look the same as you can't remove the overspray, so put those on after. I'm really bad at keeping my pieces organized, I've tried but they all end up together in a pile eventually.
Hello shareurpassion, thanks so much for your compliment on the brooch and you are right, in hand it is even more incredible ! I had not started collecting Arts And Crafts pieces when I purchased this. but the colours and design of the piece just took me in. I have collected Antique Venetian beads for approx. 35 yrs now and have quite a nice collection but it was time for a new road to travel...… look where I ended up !!
Thanks for the tips re perfume and hair spray both of which I use liberally . I am going to be super careful from now on :)