Posted 7 years ago
Peasejean55
(415 items)
This brooch is by Helen Holmes. She isn't the better known designers from the 1900s, but she was extremely versatile. This brooch is very typical of her work, with the screw head leaves, and of course the florets of flowers which was very popular In art and craft jewellery.
Helen was born in Bath in 1876, as Helen Smith. Against the trends of the time Helen asserted herself and eventually won her parents agreement to follow an artistic education and then a career. She studied at serveral colleges in Bath were she learned the rudiments of metalwork, painting and leather work. She married Frederick Charles Holmes in 1905 having met him in the guild hall in Bath when he was then the headmaster of Bath City Boys School. She had four children three girls, and a son in 1916. Her husband died in 1939 at the age of 70. In 1944 the poet John Betjeman was billeted by the admiralty at the same address as Helen and they formed a friendship. In 1951 she was commissioned to make a chain of office for the Bath Towns Women's Guild. She died in Bath on the 13th of Nov 1972.
Many thanks for looking
Very Nice
Oh, that's a beauty!!!
Thank you kerry, for passing by and leaving your lovely comment.
I'm glad you like this pretty brooch Scott. I really appreciate your comment :-)
First time I've seen screw heads used as leaves - I like the effect though. The brooch is lovely, and thank you for her history, very interesting. Would love to see the Chain of Office you spoke of.
Hi Gillian, I'll try and find a link, hopefully I'll be able to post it. Thanks for your comment.
How great Jean!!! I really like this one!!
A new name to me Jean, but clearly one to remember.
This is a gorgeous brooch; graceful and quirky at the same time.
Really enjoy your brooch and educational write up!
The screw heads leaves are so special, thanks for sharing :-D
Hi Gillian, I've looked online and I can't find any link showing the chain, I'll keep looking if anything does come up I'll post the link. I do have a couple of other links showing her work if your interested.
Thanks Judy, to be honest I didn't know anything about her until I bought this brooch. She must been a very strong willed lady, born before her time, but at least she had the will and opportunity to do what she wanted. I think looking at many of these ladies of that time, Helen, Jessie King and many more I'm awe of these women.
Yes a new name Karen, as I said to Judy in the comment above I'd never heard of her before. Her work is lovely, but I really do need to concentrate on certain designers, I could easy get carried away, lol.
Thank you kyra, the screw head leaves are very distinctive, and lovely.
Many thanks
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Beautiful Jean! It kind of reminds me of a flying insect with wings outstretched and legs hanging down. :-)
BTW... sorry so late, I'm still playing catch up.
Hi Rick, looking at this Helen Holmes brooch it does have fly, butterfly look to it. I've never realized until you mentioned it. In real life it's a stunning piece, I would love to get more of her work, but it's going to be difficult. You have a good eye for detail, thank you for your comment.