Posted 5 years ago
Hollyhocks
(18 items)
This piece has a lot of work in it , it is quite large and heavy silver with an agate stone. I'm not sure if I like it or not , or is it that my eye is not yet accustomed to it ??? Has a Scottish look to it perhaps ? Can anyone help with identification of the flower type ? Any suggestions would be much appreciated. All I know about it is that it was purchased in a house clearance sale in Dunmow Essex. I don't have it in hand as yet so its hard to really get a feel for it. The square lines to the wire is something that I have seen somewhere ?? Gosh I've nearly run out of question marks here !!
You're your not sure if you like it yet because it's not quite got that finesse, it falls a little flat. Even some of the naive pieces of Arts & Crafts jewellery can have finesse. It might be because I think it was likely made for another purpose, the pin appears to be added at a later date. Maybe it was a decorative element for a cloth or leather bound box. Or maybe it was just made as a decorative element and never used. Irrespective, I think it is an amateur or student piece. It may surprise you, it may be nicer than expected when it arrives.
Hello jewels1900, you have hit the nail on the head I believe. Something was not quite right to my eye , but .... I still wanted to purchase because i was thinking I could learn from this piece, it will give me a bit of a yard stick to identify better made , better quality. Do you think that’s crazy ? You could be right it might be a surprise when it arrives . I will certainly give it a very good eye over !! Thanks for your remarks they have helped sort out my thinking about the piece
No, I don't think that's crazy at all. I have bought many pieces to learn from. There are a whole lot of reasons a piece may be of interest. learning and honing your eye is as good as any. And BTW, have a look at metalwork by a maker name Mawson (KSIA). It's not as good but the smooth repousse work of this brooch reminds me of his work.
Oh KSIA ! Well I spent a wonderful evening in bed looking at beautiful work from that school. I see what you mean about Mawson's work being similar, less defined detail, with the hand of the maker being very evident in the finish. I ended my browse being green with envy !