Butterfly Pendant

This colourful pendant, a butterfly with wings of red enamel emphasised by gold wirework, is an excellent piece by one of the pioneers of artistic jewellery. CR Ashbee was one of the leading figures of the Arts and Crafts movement, championing the philosophy of creating beautiful objects while creating meaningful employment. He founded the Guild and School of Handicraft in east London, promoting practical crafts among the East End community before relocating to Chipping Campden in Gloucestershire. Art historian Alan Crawford describes the pendant as 'a superb example of his mature and rather peculiar colour sense': the brilliant mother-of-pearl central setting is played against violent garnets and dark amethysts, creating a vibrant contrast.