Antique Brooches
Ref: K8620A
An Arts & Crafts enamel landscape brooch, signed Murrle Bennett & Co. The centre of the brooch contains a scenic image in polychrome enamel depicting a landscape. The scene is surrounded by hammer finished silver, with scroll detailing on either side. The reverse of brooch also enamelled with roman numeral 'VIII' in the centre.
This brooch is attributed to Charles Fleetwood Varley, a talented Arts & Crafts jeweller and enameler known for his beautifully detailed landscape scenes. Most of his work can be found on objects, such as boxes, and so it is very special to have a wearable scene in a brooch such as this.
Signed: Murrle Bennett & Co, attributed to Charles Fleetwood Varley.
Era: C. 1900.
Metal: Stamped ‘950’ Silver.
Stones: Enamel.
Fittings: Pin & Hook.
Dimensions: 4.3 x 2.4 cm.
Ref: C9188T
An antique amethyst brooch-pendant. Featuring an emerald cut amethyst, bezel set in yellow and surrounded by a border of gold scrollwork. The amethyst has a fine, deep colour with flashes of red and natural colour zoning only visible from the back.
Era: 19th Century.
Metal: Tests 14ct Yellow Gold.
Stones: Amethyst: 29cts.
Fittings: Pin & Safety Clip. Bail Fitting.
Dimensions: 25 × 30 mm.
Ref: K8618A
A Murrle Bennett & Co. brooch, circa 1900. Crafted in 15ct yellow gold, the brooch features three seed pearls in the centre of swirling gold work. An oval-cabochon cut turquoise is bezel set at the top, which balances a smaller articulated turquoise drop below, lending subtle movement and colour contrast to the piece.
A fine example of early 20th-century Arts and Crafts design from this celebrated Anglo-German partnership, and rarer still for its gold composition.
Era: Arts & Crafts.
Signed: Murrle Bennet & Co.
Metal: Stamped ‘15CT’ Yellow Gold.
Stones: Turquoise. Pearl.
Fittings: Pin & Hook.
Dimensions: Length: 3 × 2.5 cm.
Ref: K8786A
A Murrle Bennett & Co. boulder opal brooch, circa 1900. The brooch features an oval cabochon boulder opal, bezel set within an elegant openwork whiplash bar design characteristic of the Arta & Crafts period. The opal displays exceptional play of colour, shifting from deep purplish-blue to lilac and green-blue with vivid green scintillating flashes.
The brooch is presented in its original fitted case. A superb example of Murrle Bennett’s refined craftsmanship and distinctive Anglo-German design aesthetic, marrying natural beauty with graceful form.
Signed: Murrle Bennett & Co.
Era: Arts and Crafts, c. 1900.
Metal: Stamped ‘15CT’ Yellow Gold.
Stones: Boulder Opal.
Fittings: Pin & Hook.
Dimensions:
Ref: K8760A
A 1910s English Arts and Crafts brooch by Murrle Bennett, crafted in white metal in a pierced shield design with flowing whiplash wirework. At the centre sits an oval cabochon cut matrix turquoise, flanked by a white pearl on either side for balance and contrast.
This is a fine example of Murrle Bennett’s Arts and Crafts aesthetic with its emphasis on natural materials and fluid, hand-worked design
Signed: Murrle Bennett & Co.
Metal: Stamped ‘950’ Silver. Pin Tests 9ct Yellow Gold.
Stones: Turquoise.
Fittings: Pin & Hook.
Dimensions: 4 × 2.4 cm.
Ref: K8508A
An Arts & Crafts brooch in flowing 9ct gold, designed in a classic whiplash style and set with a vibrant high-fire Australian opal. The oval-cut opal is bezel set in warm yellow gold, with its shifting colours beautifully highlighted by the soft curves of the design.
Stamped 'MB&Co 9CT' for Murrle Bennett & Co., who are celebrated for their elegant designs and originally retailed at Liberty London. A refined piece that captures the spirit of early 20th-century craftsmanship, with the opal adding a luminous focal point to this elegant and expressive design.
Signed: Murrle Bennett & Co.
Era: Arts & Crafts.
Metal: Stamped ‘9CT’ Yellow Gold.
Stones: Opal: 0.20cts.
Fittings: Pin & Hook.
Dimensions: 4 × 1.5 cm.
Ref: C4898T
An Art Nouveau bar brooch featuring three graceful female faces in profile, finely rendered in relief at the centre of the piece.
Art Nouveau motifs, especially the female form entwined with botanical elements, symbolise beauty, rebirth, and nature’s harmony. This brooch not only showcases exquisite craftsmanship but also embodies the romantic, free-spirited ethos of the era—making it a wearable work of art and a true collector’s piece.
Era: Art Nouveau.
Metal: Stamped ‘14K’ Yellow Gold.
Fittings: Pin & Safety Clip.
Dimensions: Width: 5 cm. Length: 1 cm.
Ref: C8534T
A Victorian opal and onyx brooch. Carved from one piece of onyx in the form of a Maltese cross. At its centre sits a round cabochon opal, claw set in yellow gold. Crafted with the bold elegance characteristic of Victorian mourning jewellery.
This piece can be worn as a brooch, or as a necklace, by running a ribbon through the fixed bars to the reverse.
Era: Victorian.
Metal: Tests Yellow Gold.
Stones: Opal: 0.50cts. Onyx.
Fittings: Pin & Hook. Necklace Fitting.
Dimensions: Length: 4 cm. Width: 4 cm.
Ref: R1115A
An antique carved agate shell brooch. Featuring a banded agate, with black, light blue, and brown banding carved into an oval shell shape. Offset in the centre of the shell is a single, old mine cut diamond. The shell is set with a gold brooch fitting.
This unusual piece is expertly hand carved, and a wonderful example of sculptural jewellery. The diamond its in the shell like a pearl found in an oyster, a mystical treasure waiting to be found. A one of a kind, antique brooch.
Era: Victorian.
Metal: Tests 9ct Yellow Gold.
Stones: Diamond: 0.70cts.
Fittings: Pin & Hook.
Dimensions: Measures: 35 x 25 mm.
Ref: C8262T
An antique fleur-de-lys pin. Featuring a fleur-de-lys set with twenty-one seed pearls, attached to a yellow gold pin.
The fleur-de-lys was depicted on the traditional coat of arms of France, from the middle ages through to the French revolution. The symbol came back for brief periods during the 19th Century, about the same time this pin was made. This brooch is beautifully made, with bright seed pearls.
Metal: Tests 9ct Yellow Gold.
Fittings: Pin.
Dimensions: Head: 15 x 15 mm. Pin: 5 cm.
Ref: C8261T
An opal and pearl pin. Featuring a round cut opal, surrounded by a stylised swirl of seed pearls. The brooch is finished by a polished gold pin.
This pin centres around a wonderfully playful opal, with a beautiful play of colour. The pearls highlight the brooch, and make the pin stand out when worn.
Era: Victorian.
Metal: Tests 9ct Yellow Gold.
Stones: Opal. Seed Pearl.
Fittings: Pin.
Dimensions: Head: 10 x 10 mm. Pin: 4.5 cm.
Ref: C8272T
An antique shell pin. Featuring an oval shell, naturally banded with brown and white stripes. The shell sits in a delicate, gold claw setting and leads to a polished gold pin, with twisted detailing.
This striking pin takes its beauty from nature, showcasing a delightfully banded shell. The Victorians took inspiration from the natural world around them, and it could be that this shell was custom made as a memento from a seaside holiday.
Era: 19th Century.
Metal: Head: Tests 14ct Yellow Gold. Pin: Tests 9ct Yellow Gold.
Stones: Shell.
Fittings: Pin.
Dimensions: Shell: 8 x 14.5 mm. Pin: 6.5 cm.
Ref: C8283T
An antique garnet pin. The pin features a pear cut garnet, bezel set in yellow gold. Surrounding the garnet is a textured snake, coiling around itself. The garnet leads to a polished yellow gold band.
The Victorians loved using symbolism in jewellery. Snakes have been revered for millennia, often symbolising love, health, and immortality. Snakes are also used to represent eternity, especially when it wraps around itself. Queen Victoria’s engagement ring was two snakes overlapping, representing the eternal love from Alfred. The garnet symbolises trust an commitment, suggesting this pin could symbolise an eternal friendship, or love.
Era: 19th Century.
Metal: Tests 14ct Yellow Gold.
Stones: Garnet: 1.30cts.
Fittings: Pin.
Dimensions: Snake: 10 x 15 mm. Pin: 6 cm.
Ref: C8270T
An antique, enamel tiger pin. Featuring a polychrome enamel tiger head, set with old cut diamond eyes. The tiger has its mouth wide open, with an old cut diamond perched between its teeth. The head sits on a polished yellow gold pin.
This beautiful tiger is full of character. The enamel has been expertly done, with black and orange stripes blending into the soft cream colour of the snout. The diamonds add sparkle to the piece. An original, antique pin.
Metal: Tests 14ct Yellow Gold.
Stones: Diamond: 0.07cts. Enamel.
Fittings: Pin.
Dimensions: Head: 16 x 15 mm. Pin: 6 cm.
Ref: C8281T
An antique, carved coral dog stick pin. Featuring a carved coral depicting a leaping dog. The coral is set on a polished gold pin, with twisted detailing.
This leaping dog is wonderfully carved, with beautiful detail and plenty of character. The coral is a beautiful, deep colour, and is sure to stand out on any lapel. A one of a kind, antique piece.
Metal: Tests 14ct Yellow Gold.
Stones: Coral.
Fittings: Pin.
Dimensions: Coral: 30 x 15 mm. Pin: 6.5 cm.
Ref: C8284T
An antique, enamel parrot pin. Featuring a polychrome enamel parrot with gold feet, sitting on a branch. The parrot is set on top of the pin, with the tip of the pin level with the parrot’s head. The pin is finished with a safety pin style clasp in yellow gold.
Era: Edwardian.
Metal: Brooch: Stamped ‘15CT’ Yellow Gold. Pin: Stamped ‘9CT’ Yellow Gold.
Fittings: Safety Pin.
Dimensions: Parrot: 5 x 15 mm. Pin: 5 cm.
Ref: C8271T
An antique pearl dove pin. Featuring a textured yellow gold dove in flight, holding a single, white, round pearl in its mouth. The pearl is five claw set in yellow gold and hangs with articulation. The dove is fixed to a polished, yellow gold pin.
Era: Victorian.
Metal: Tests 9ct Yellow Gold.
Dimensions: Dove: 1 x 2 cm. Pin: 6.5 cm.
Ref: K7796A
An early 20th Century Wedgwood bar brooch. Featuring a central figure in ceremonial robes. The ceramic is surrounded by four polished gold beads, and milgraine finished gold-work, set on a yellow gold bar brooch.
A beautiful example of Wedgwood jewellery, this brooch stands out with its elegant design and the blue colour of the ceramic. Wedgwood jasperware is a type of pottery first developed by Josiah Wedgwood in England in the 1770s. It is characterised by its unglazed, matte ‘biscuit’ finish and produced in a number of colours, with blue being the most common. A one of a kind, antique pice.
Era: Edwardian.
Metal: 9ct Yellow Gold. UK Hallmarks, Birmingham 1913. Pin Tests Base Metal.
Fittings: Pin & Hook. Safety Chain.
Dimensions: Measures: 4.8 x 2.5 cm.
Ref: K7393A
A Victorian bug brooch in its original box. Featuring a delicate fly, set with old cut diamonds in the wings and body, and a single, round cut sapphire is set as the centre of the body. The fly is finished with two round cut ruby eyes. The fly sits on a yellow metal bar brooch with a single pearl set at one end. The brooch is accompanied by the original velvet fitted box.
This whimsical piece is typical of the mid-Victorian jewellery period when realistically rendered insects became a popular motif. The fly brooch will sit beautifully on a blazer, coat or even a lighter fabric due to its size. An original antique, one of a kind piece.
Era: Victorian.
Metal: Silver & Gold.
Stones: Diamond: 0.60cts. Sapphire: 0.10cts. Ruby: 0.02cts.
Fittings: Pin & Hook.
Dimensions: Brooch: 5 x 2.5 cm. Box: 7.5 x 5cm.
Ref: C9305T
A beautiful enamelled three leaf clover lapel or tie pin, rich in character and antique charm. The piece features finely detailed enamel work forming the clover leaves, surrounding a central old European cut diamond, adding a refined focal point with soft antique brilliance.
Delicately crafted yet full of presence, this elegant pin is a distinctive example of Victorian jewellery design, combining colour, symbolism and fine craftsmanship. A timeless collectible piece that reflects the romance and attention to detail of the era.
Era: Late Victorian/Early Edwardian.
Metal: Tests 10ct Yellow Gold.
Stones: Enamel. Diamond: 0.25cts.
Dimensions: Length: 7.8cm. Clover: 2 × 2cm.