Brooch thumbnail 1
Brooch thumbnail 2
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Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Jewellery, Rooms 91, The William and Judith Bollinger Gallery

Brooch

ca. 1903 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

C. R. Ashbee was a man of immense talents and energy and a defining figure in the Arts and Crafts Movement. In 1888 he founded the Guild of Handicraft in the East End of London with the intention of reviving traditional craft skills and providing satisfying employment in a deprived area of the city. Trained originally as an architect, he is known also for his highly innovative furniture, metalwork, silver and jewellery designs.

This brooch was originally a pendant, attached with many others to a necklace also made by the Guild of Handicraft. Its ship motif was a favourite of Ashbee's, often appearing on Guild of Handicraft work. The ship was also popular amongst other Arts and Crafts designers in Britain, American and Scandinavia.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Gilded silver, gold, enamel and turquoises
Brief description
Brooch of gilded silver, gold, enamel and tuquoises, designed by C.R. Ashbee and made by the Guild of Handicraft, England, about 1903
Physical description
Brooch of gilded silver, gold, enamel and turquoises, converted from a pendant attached to a necklace (M.37-1982)
Dimensions
  • Height: 4.2cm
  • Width: 3.3cm
  • Depth: 1.1cm
Style
Object history
Converted from a pendant attached to a necklace (M.37.1982)
Summary
C. R. Ashbee was a man of immense talents and energy and a defining figure in the Arts and Crafts Movement. In 1888 he founded the Guild of Handicraft in the East End of London with the intention of reviving traditional craft skills and providing satisfying employment in a deprived area of the city. Trained originally as an architect, he is known also for his highly innovative furniture, metalwork, silver and jewellery designs.

This brooch was originally a pendant, attached with many others to a necklace also made by the Guild of Handicraft. Its ship motif was a favourite of Ashbee's, often appearing on Guild of Handicraft work. The ship was also popular amongst other Arts and Crafts designers in Britain, American and Scandinavia.
Associated object
Bibliographic reference
MacCarthy, Fiona. Anarchy & beauty : William Morris and his legacy, 1860-1960. London: National Portrait Gallery, 2014 cat. 80
Collection
Accession number
CIRC.118-1959

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Record createdJanuary 10, 2008
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