The Gaskins Arts & Crafts Necklace
Georgie and Arthur Gaskin were pivotal figures in the English Arts and Crafts movement, and good friends with William Morris for many years. Influenced by lectures delivered by Morris and Edward Burne-Jones, they founded the Birmingham Group which intended to integrate fine art and decorative art:
"The Gaskins took up metalworking as part of this plan and brought the venture all the dedication, and indifference to commercial considerations, that Morris could have wished." - Pre-Raphaelite to Arts and Crafts Jewellery, Gere & Munn (1996)
Arthur, a student then teacher at the Birmingham School of Art, first started making jewellery with his wife, Georgian Cave France, around 1899. From 1902 he was head of the Vittoria Street School for Silversmiths and Jewellers, a role he held for over two decades, influencing multiple generations of Birmingham jewellers. The husband and wife duo developed a unique style which they exhibited internationally, characterised by flowers and leaves in gold or silver and punctuated with small coloured stones and often finished with enamel. Again, Gere and Munn note that their works were, "absolutely in keeping with the taste of Morris and his circle".
This necklace, by Mr & Mrs Gaskin, presents their trademark leaf and flower motifs, delicately worked and set with vivid green chrysoprase and shimmering white pearls. Crafted in sterling silver throughout, it dates from the early 20th century, circa 1905.
Of their early work, Arthur Wainwright wrote:
"They did not, and possibly could not, then achieve the mechanical perfection of the trade jeweller. All their work was, of course, handwrought and based upon simple floral forms original to themselves."
And Aymer Valance wrote:
"Their home is in a locality where a large amount of very deplorable jewellery is produced; so deplorable that they determined, if possible, to provide an antidote to the prevailing degradation."
Era: Arts & Crafts, circa 1905
Length: 19 inches
Pendant size: 4.3cm by 3.6cm
Stones: Chrysoprase & Pearl
Marks: None, tests as sterling silver
Condition: Great antique condition with gorgeous patina
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Gemstones are tested by an accredited gemmologist (Cert GA, Gemmological Association of Great Britain)
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Condition
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