Bernard Instone Silver Bar Brooch with Floral Enamel Decoration - 1930s Pin

Here is a classic Bernard Instone Brooch.  This gorgeous small bar brooch has a touch of the transition style  to it where Art Nouveau meets Art Deco and as it dates to circa 1930 it does fall into that period.  Made from Sterling silver the brooch bears the words “Sterling Silver”  indicating its 925 out of 1000 silver content.  The focal point of this antique silver brooch is a beautiful floral enamel circle.  The circle has an irregular shape and has pink and blue enamel daisy type flowers with white enamel leaves.   This Bernard Instone  silver brooch measures  2.25 inches in length and is just over half of an inch wide at its middle part.  Fastening with a simple “c” type clasp this silver brooch is in very good condition with just a darkened patina commensurate with its age.  If you prefer your silver jewellery to be really shiny it would be possible to polish this brooch up a little.

Here is more information about the maker BERNARD INSTONE 

Bernard Instone was born  in 1891 in Birmingham in 1903 and at the age of 12 he received a scholarship to attend the Central School of Art. He studied  jewellery and practical silversmithing at the Birmingham School of Jewellery under Arthur Gaskin who with his wife Georgina is one of the UK’s most celebrated Arts and Crafts jewellers.

In the 1920s  he set up his own business -  the Langstone Silverworks in Birmingham. The name of the firm was said to be a combination of his mother and father's names. His jewellery was often inspired by nature incorporating  flowers and leaves. He was also greatly skilled in enamel work and setting semi precious stones. As was the case in this period with many artisans he also designed for other jewellers.

   Today the jewellery made by Bernard Instone is in high demand  among discerning collectors not  just for the wearability and beauty of his pieces but also because of the detail and high quality workmanship that a Bernard Instone jewel will always offer.