Brooch
2004 (made)
| Artist/Maker | |
| Place of origin |
Helen Britton’s work frequently incorporates elements recycled from old costume jewellery, giving these fragments what she describes as ‘a new opportunity, a chance to sing again or to sing at last’. Her fascination with this infinitely diverse material resource is tireless, as is her ability to transform it into objects of great vitality and sometimes unexpected beauty. Of her hoard of found materials she has written ‘I have a great clamouring collection, all demanding attention, each one such a handful that I keep them tucked away, restless in their boxes, waiting for their day to shine. It is their oily smile, their rugged gesture, the thrust of their metal, the giggle of the plastic, the wink of glass, the jungle of material emotions locked in these fragments, that I am looking to give room for expression’.
This brooch is one of forty-five pieces of jewellery given to the V&A from the collection of the late Louise Klapisch.
This brooch is one of forty-five pieces of jewellery given to the V&A from the collection of the late Louise Klapisch.
Object details
| Categories | |
| Object type | |
| Materials and techniques | Enamelled silver and resin set with green glass elements |
| Brief description | 'Green flower' brooch, silver, plastic, paint and glass, designed and made by Helen Britton, Germany 2004 |
| Physical description | A large flowerhead is supported by a vertical stem, with three curling leaves to each side. The frame is enamelled in translucent bright green over cream, and to it are attached glass elements held between metal prongs: a narrow iridescent strip decorates the stem and six green curling elements the leaves. The flowerhead consists of a clear resin panel into which is set a dense formation of short green rods all oriented approximately vertically. There is a steel double pin on the reverse. |
| Dimensions |
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| Credit line | The Louise Klapisch Collection, given by Suzanne Selvi |
| Summary | Helen Britton’s work frequently incorporates elements recycled from old costume jewellery, giving these fragments what she describes as ‘a new opportunity, a chance to sing again or to sing at last’. Her fascination with this infinitely diverse material resource is tireless, as is her ability to transform it into objects of great vitality and sometimes unexpected beauty. Of her hoard of found materials she has written ‘I have a great clamouring collection, all demanding attention, each one such a handful that I keep them tucked away, restless in their boxes, waiting for their day to shine. It is their oily smile, their rugged gesture, the thrust of their metal, the giggle of the plastic, the wink of glass, the jungle of material emotions locked in these fragments, that I am looking to give room for expression’. This brooch is one of forty-five pieces of jewellery given to the V&A from the collection of the late Louise Klapisch. |
| Collection | |
| Accession number | M.23-2014 |
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| Record created | June 11, 2014 |
| Record URL |
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