Posted 4 years ago
Hollyhocks
(18 items)
Couldn’t resist this bloom when it popped up for sale. Now I have the same dilemma again .... who made it ? The back is beautifully finished and it has all the features of a hand made piece. Seller thinks it’s American but with my limited knowledge I am going to plump for British. What do you think ? Any suggestions please ????
I am thinking could it be Bernard Instone? The leaves are Instone... ish but I can’t find any other pieces of his work that look anything like this.
It's a beauty.
Peasejean55 is our go to for Instone and has a wealth of knowledge on British arts and craft jewellery.
Maybe comment on her latest post and ask her to have a look?
Thanks racer4four, I was thinking of Jean when I thought could this be Instone ? I will do as you suggest and comment on her last post. I was wondering how I could give her a nudge to take a look. Thanks so much for commenting, much appreciated
Hello six-0-one thanks for your lovely comment. I can’t wait to get this in my hands to examine it. I am not sure that the poppy petals are enamel ? Will have to update with more when I receive it.
Hi Sue,
I’m travelling at the moment so haven’t seen your post until now. I think the poppy brooch is probably British because of Poppy Day in the UK and probably Australia, New Zealand and Canada and other countries within the Commonwealth.
As to Bernard Instone, I can only go with what I know. I have never seen anything like this from Bernard Instone, the leaves to me are not his, so I would go with this brooch isn’t Bernard Instone. Saying that I have seen pieces by him that I wouldn’t have thought was his work. Hopefully somebody else will come along and give more information.
I really like the brooch, and has I said above being a poppy it was probably made for Remembrance Day. It’s just my personal opinion. I’ll be watching this post, I wish you well.
Fantastic brooch, one of the best I have seen! Beautiful!!
Hello Elisabethan,
Awww thanks so much for that, I love it too. I think its beautiful and so well made. My only problem is I am going to have to wait for weeks for it to get to me and I am itching to have it in hand. Never mind must be patient ! Thanks for your lovely comment.
Hi Jean I did wonder if you were travelling . Thanks so much for taking the time to look. I have looked and looked at Instone brooches all yesterday just to try and find a hint on this one. The leaves are a flavour of instone in their shape but I don't think they were produced by the same method as most of the instone leaves I have looked at. Looking and looking has boggled my eyes ! I am still going to plump for British and maybe Birmingham School for now. Thanks again for taking the time to look and comment.
I have been going crazy at home at the moment because I have an infection where I had a back tooth taken out. Looking at lovely jewels takes my mind off of it quite a bit because I really lose myself in the process. When I saw this brooch come up ,as a buy it now, for a small price I forgot all about the pain in my Jaw...... see jewellery heals :)
Thought In stone too, but I'm far to be a specialist in his works...
The attention to details on the back screams excellent artisan!
I think the flower is carved from "cherry amber" (Bakelite or natural IDK...)
If you have an UV torch, try it on to see if it glows, put your tongue on it to feel if it "tastes" chemical (as if you put your tongue on a freshly manicured nail).
Nice bargain, and I bet it was comforting for your back tooth issue, ouch ;-)
Hello Kyra, thanks for all your very helpful information. I did wonder if it could be cherry amber or something similar. As soon as it arrives I will do your suggested tests and will update this post. I agree the back looks to be as beautifully finished as the front . I feel pretty lucky to have been able to buy this piece of art . I still feel Instone could be a possibility , there are other features on this piece that Are very similar to his work. Most of the leaves I have seen on Instone pieces appear to be cast or perhaps pressed? I am certainly not an expert on silver smithing. The leaves on this piece look to be hand decorated And perhaps this is what’s throwing me off . I know Instone did commissions so perhaps this could be something like that ? As Jean said there are some very unusual Instone pieces around that are not atypical of his work at all.
Thanks again for checking in and commenting.
P.s ... kyra ... my tooth issue was all but forgotten until I calmed down a bit over the excitement of snagging this ! It slowly came back again. Just shows you what a natural high can do ????