Posted 4 years ago
aesthete1880
(29 items)
This is a really beautiful arts and crafts style enamel and base metal (silver colored) piece of jewelry, featuring a European common kingfisher poised above a marsh or pond. The cabochon-shaped enamel (3 cm diameter) is quite detailed with bright luminescent reds, blues, yellows and greens. There is gold highlighting painted throughout, even outlining the cattails on the right side of the piece. The backside shows a missing piece and we have speculated that this was either originally a hatpin top, elaborate button, or part of a broken cloak clasp.
We have been unable to identify the maker and would love any thoughts you might have. Our guess is that it might have been made somewhere in the British Isles during the arts and crafts period.
Just saw this great Collectors Weekly article on arts and crafts jewelry: https://www.collectorsweekly.com/articles/an-interview-with-arts-and-crafts-jewelry-collector-and-author-elyse-karlin/
De Koningh specialisted in kingishers. Although I'm not sure if this is one of his. There is a range with this bright green background. I'd say it's the top of a hat pin.
Thanks for all the loves!
Jewels1900, thank you for pointing us to De Koningh's kingfisher pieces, which are incredible! As you note, the style seems different, more precise, realistic, and naturalistic in tone.
Previously posted another item with a similar scene of a kingfisher overlooking a pond (seems to have been a common theme around turn-of-the century): https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/271545-kingfisher-oil-lamp-harrach-black-hyali
Fantastic colors, are you sure there arent no butterfly elements in there, just enamel? It has the same effect as morpho butterfly wing jewelry although green. Smashing!
Elisabethan, thanks much!!! We do have some butterfly-wing jewelry (some iridescent scarabs too), but the color on this piece is due to metallic oxides. Hopefully one day we will be able to put a designer name to this one.