Belt Clasp thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Jewellery, Rooms 91, The William and Judith Bollinger Gallery

Belt Clasp

ca. 1905 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Henry Wilson's jewellery is distinctive for its rich colour combinations worked in stones and enamel, and its sculptural qualities. Like many other Arts and Crafts designers, including C.R. Ashbee, Wilson trained originally as an architect. He became interested in metals in the early 1890s, and went on to teach at the Royal College of Art, publishing a practical manual Silverwork and Jewellery in 1903.

Perhaps because of his architectural training, Wilson's jewels are often notable for their three-dimensional construction, a feature which can be seen in this belt clasp.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Belt Clasp
  • Belt Clasp
Materials and techniques
Silver, set with amethysts, garnets, williamsite, moonstones, agate, chalcedony and cat's-eye quartz with openwork
Brief description
Silver belt clasp, in two parts, set with gemstones with a large, central, openwork boss ornamented with sprays, designed by Henry Wilson, probably made in London, about 1905.
Physical description
Silver belt clasp, in two parts, set with amethysts, garnets, williamsite, moonstones, agate, chalcedony and cat's-eye quartz with a large, central, openwork boss ornamented with sprays.
Dimensions
  • Height: 10.7cm
  • Width: 19.5cm
  • Depth: 4.6cm
Style
Credit line
Formerly in the collection of Charles and Lavinia Handley-Read.
Object history
Probably made in Henry Wilson's London workshop. Ex Handley-Read Collection.
Subjects depicted
Summary
Henry Wilson's jewellery is distinctive for its rich colour combinations worked in stones and enamel, and its sculptural qualities. Like many other Arts and Crafts designers, including C.R. Ashbee, Wilson trained originally as an architect. He became interested in metals in the early 1890s, and went on to teach at the Royal College of Art, publishing a practical manual Silverwork and Jewellery in 1903.

Perhaps because of his architectural training, Wilson's jewels are often notable for their three-dimensional construction, a feature which can be seen in this belt clasp.
Collection
Accession number
M.29&A-1972

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Record createdJuly 27, 2006
Record URL
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