Brooch thumbnail 1
Brooch thumbnail 2
Not currently on display at the V&A

Brooch

ca. 1760 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This brooch was part of Cecil Crofton's collection. Cecil Frederick Crofton was born Frederick William Martin on 10 November 1859 in Birmingham. After a brief career as an architect, he changed direction and became a professional actor. He was most active between 1882 and 1896 and may have changed his name during this period. He was an energetic collector of textiles, silver, furniture and art, in particular the works of Simeon Solomon.

From 1913, Cecil F. Crofton made a series of generous gifts to the V&A, including silver, works on paper, jewellery and textiles. Writing to the Director in November 1918, he explained his pleasure in making the gifts as he felt firstly, that it 'places in safety a few of my dearest possessions' but also that he felt himself to be 'under a debt of gratitude to the Museum... I have used it as a rest cure & often when I have felt tired of the struggle & squalor of our modern life, I have found refreshment in your treasure house'.


Object details

Category
Object type
Materials and techniques
Opaline, pastes, set in silver
Brief description
Brooch, silver set with paline and white pastes, western Europe, about 1760
Physical description
Brooch of opaline (a variety of paste imitating opal) and white pastes set in silver.
Dimensions
  • Length: 4.24cm
  • Width: 3.57cm
  • Depth: 1.45cm
Credit line
Given by Mr Cecil Crofton
Summary
This brooch was part of Cecil Crofton's collection. Cecil Frederick Crofton was born Frederick William Martin on 10 November 1859 in Birmingham. After a brief career as an architect, he changed direction and became a professional actor. He was most active between 1882 and 1896 and may have changed his name during this period. He was an energetic collector of textiles, silver, furniture and art, in particular the works of Simeon Solomon.

From 1913, Cecil F. Crofton made a series of generous gifts to the V&A, including silver, works on paper, jewellery and textiles. Writing to the Director in November 1918, he explained his pleasure in making the gifts as he felt firstly, that it 'places in safety a few of my dearest possessions' but also that he felt himself to be 'under a debt of gratitude to the Museum... I have used it as a rest cure & often when I have felt tired of the struggle & squalor of our modern life, I have found refreshment in your treasure house'.
Collection
Accession number
M.325-1922

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Record createdJune 9, 2005
Record URL
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