Sunday, February 26, 2012

Gifts of Grandeur: The May Morris Opal Stickpin, 1903

Stickpin
May Morris, 1903
The Victoria & Albert Museum





May Morris (1862-1938); the daughter of the artist, designer and socialist William Morris; was a talented embroideress and jeweler in her own right. She started designing jewelry around the turn of the 20th century--inspired by the Birmingham jewelers Arthur and Georgie Gaskin, who were old family friends.

As was the style of the time, May favored colorful stones, usually cabochon-cut or uncut entirely, and found much inspiration in European folk jewellery.

Here, from the V&A, we see an excellent example of her work.  This stickpin of gold is set with a white opal, water opals and pearls.  It was made by May Morris around 1903.




Other jewels by Miss Morris.

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