£2,200
An Arts & Crafts black opal and silver pendant, early 20th c, the larger peach shaped opal encircled by leaves and gold berries on twisted wire stems, the irregular black opal drop hanging from a festoon, on integral silver chain, pendant 72mm h; chains combined length 45cm, in fitted cloth covered case, unsigned, 18.2g
Provenance: Florence Hazell (1867-1938); thence by descent to the present vendor
Florence Marguerite Hazell, nee Draper and her successful business husband James Stanley Hazell (1866-1946) of The Garth, Lingfield, Surrey, a Grade II* listed house and its 18th century pleasure grounds, which Stanley purchased at the end of World War I.
The extensive restoration was overseen by the leading Arts & Crafts architect Walter H Godfrey (1881-1961). The couple shared a keen interest in Arts & Crafts design and Stanley published a history of the village with his co-author, the architect and historian Arthur Baldwin Hayward (1874-1954). According to the family, Florence Hazell was also acquainted with members of the Bloomsbury group. Another family tradition is that the opals "were ground from the natural state in their rock by your grandfather and set by a friend...". They had been purchased at "the Australian exhibition", perhaps the 1908 Franco-British Exhibition (New South Wales commission) or the Imperial International Exhibition the following year
Opals chipped perhaps when originally supplied - see footnote
Fees apply to the hammer price:
Room and Absentee Bids:
28.8% inc VAT*
Online and Autobids:
30.6% inc VAT*
