Friday, February 17, 2012

Mastery of Design: The Janey Morris Brooch, 1820-30

Brooch belonging to Janey Morris, 1820-1830
The Victoria & Albert Museum





This fine citrine brooch originally belonged to Mrs. Jane Morris (known as Janey), the wife of the artist, designer and socialist William Morris. Janey was a favorite subject of her famous husband and his artist friends.  She was often painted by the artist Dante Gabriel Rossetti who had a special fondness for her.  Rossetti often made innocent gifts of jewelry to his friend’s wife, some of which—including this jewel--were bequeathed to the V&A by her daughter May in 1938.

The brooch is oblong with rounded corners. Twelve small rubies and emeralds are set in the filigree decoration surrounding the central sunny citrine.  The brooch was made between 1820 and 1830 in the style of gold filigree which was fashionable at the time in London.  






Others gifts presented to Mrs. Morris

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