Waist Clasp
1899-1900 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Established in 1875, Liberty's department store in London built its reputation on supplying artistic and unusual products. In 1899 it launched a line of 'Cymric' jewellery, which drew both the Art Nouveau and Arts and Crafts styles. Cymric jewellery featured sinuous lines, unusual gemstones and often appeared to be hand-beaten. However, it was commercially produced using machine processes - something which enraged Arts and Crafts jewellers like C.R. Ashbee.
Cymric jewellery was very popular. Its success was partly due to the innovation and talent of the designers employed by Liberty, including the painter Oliver Baker, who probably designed this piece.
Cymric jewellery was very popular. Its success was partly due to the innovation and talent of the designers employed by Liberty, including the painter Oliver Baker, who probably designed this piece.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Parts | This object consists of 2 parts.
|
| Materials and techniques | Silver, opal |
| Brief description | Waist clasp of silver and opal in two parts, probably designed by Oliver Baker and made by Haseler & Co., Birmingham, 1899-1900 |
| Physical description | Waist clasp of silver, set with an opal; in two parts. |
| Dimensions |
|
| Marks and inscriptions | Birmingham hallmarks for 1899-1900. Maker's mark of Liberty & Co. (Cymric) Ltd. (A mark registered by the makers, W. H. Hasler & Company of Birmingham.)
|
| Object history | Made for Mrs John Llewellyn, the wife of the director of Liberty & Company who administered the Cymric range of jewellery and silver launched in 1898/99. |
| Production | Produced for the Cymric jewellery range by W.H. Haseler for Liberty & Company |
| Summary | Established in 1875, Liberty's department store in London built its reputation on supplying artistic and unusual products. In 1899 it launched a line of 'Cymric' jewellery, which drew both the Art Nouveau and Arts and Crafts styles. Cymric jewellery featured sinuous lines, unusual gemstones and often appeared to be hand-beaten. However, it was commercially produced using machine processes - something which enraged Arts and Crafts jewellers like C.R. Ashbee. Cymric jewellery was very popular. Its success was partly due to the innovation and talent of the designers employed by Liberty, including the painter Oliver Baker, who probably designed this piece. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.306:1&2-1975 |
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| Record created | April 18, 2006 |
| Record URL |
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