Vintage Celtic Targe Brooch
Silver and enamel targe brooch by William H. Darby, hallmarked Birmingham, 1960, designed by Alexander Ritchie of Iona
Silver and enamel targe brooch by William H. Darby, hallmarked Birmingham, 1960, designed by Alexander Ritchie of Iona
Silver and enamel targe brooch by William H. Darby, hallmarked Birmingham, 1960, designed by Alexander Ritchie of Iona
The design of this brooch is based on a Scottish targe (shield) and has been made in 925 sterling silver decorated with dark blue and turquoise-green enamel set in panels of intricate Celtic knotwork. The reverse is set with a hinged pin and safety clasp.
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