Vintage Scottish Brooch

A circular brooch formed of openwork Celtic interlaced knotwork panels, with a collet set cabochon amethyst in the centre. The reverse has a hinged steel pin with scroll safety clasp, and is hallmarked Edinburgh, sterling silver, 1965 together with ‘MADE IN SCOTLAND’

Although the maker’s mark is lacking, it seem possible this is by the maker John Hart. Not only is the overall style and use of stone very reminiscent of his work, but he was known to use the incuse mark ‘MADE IN SCOTLAND’. Even without a maker’s mark it is a fine and beautiful example of Scottish design.

John Hart trained as an engraver before joining the Glasgow silversmithing firm Celtic Art Industries. By the early 1950s he had established himself as an independent silversmith and sold much of his work to The Iona Shop which had branches in Glasgow and Oban. In 1979 he retired and his son (also called John) merged his own fledgling workshop with his father’s at Iochdar in South Uist.

Condition:

There is a small chip to the amethyst.

Dimensions:

Diameter 3.0cm

Weight 7.1g