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The design of this silver brooch is based on a Scottish targe (shield). It shows decorated panels of intricate Celtic knotwork together with dark blue and turquoise-green enamel. The reverse is set with a hinged pin and safety clasp and is stamped with the maker’s mark ‘WHD’, and hallmarks for sterling silver, Birmingham, 1960.
Designed by the celebrated Scottish Arts & Crafts maker Alexander Ritchie of Iona, it was made by the Birmingham silversmithing firm William H. Darby. Mr Darby visited Alexander Ritchie and his wife, Euphemia’s, Celtic Art shop on the island of Iona (west coast of Scotland) and subsequently became a longstanding business link. His firm carried out the production of jewellery from the Ritchie masters thereby supporting the spread of the Celtic Revival movement during the first half of the twentieth century.
The brooch design is featured in a book on ‘Iona Celtic Art: The Works of Alexander and Euphemia Ritchie’ by E. Mairi MacArthur, p.69.
Dimensions:
Diameter 4cm
Weight 16.8g