This is an excellent example of post-war British silversmithing with an Iconic design by Frederick Massingham for the company D.H. Phillips. It is one of a series that the artist produced in silver in the late 1940s early1950s which all featured Ballet Dancers. Some of the collection are on display in the Jewellery area of the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery. The pins were produced in two sizes, some designs featured a single ballerina and some a couple. I have heard people comment that they look like Margot Fontaine and Rudolph Nureyev but the brooches are earlier than the couple were famous together! This particular Ballerina Brooch is made of cast sterling silver and is clearly hallmarked in Birmingham with the year mark for 1947. It is a larger sized example, measuring 3 inches by 2.5 inches at is widest points. The ballerina is very detailed, you can see the folds in her skirt fabric and the curls in her hair. What a wonderful gift this would be for anyone who loves The Ballet!
