A Sibyl Dunlop amethyst set silver footed bowl

A good sized and heavy Sibyl Dunlop sterling silver footed bowl or centrepiece set with three large cabochon amethysts. The silver body is beautifully hand hammered, Fully assayed for London 1929 together with Sibyl Dunlop’s personal stamp.

Sibyl Dunlop(1889 – 20 December 1968) was a British jewellery and silver designer, best known for her later Arts and Crafts style. Dunlop was born in Hampstead, London to Scottish parents and finished her schooling in Brussels, where she became interested in jewellery design and underwent some basic training. She established a workshop and shop at 69 Kensington Church Street, London W8, and in the early 1920s was joined by W. Nathanson as her principal craftsman. Dunlop’s work is characterised by the use of semi-precious and precious gems, such as chalcedony, chrysoprase, moonstone, amethyst, agate, quartz and opals, often cabochon rather than facet-cut gemstones, set in silver in symmetrical patterns, often inspired by nature. One of her most famous designs is the ‘Carpet of Gems’ symmetrical setting. The gemstones were cut for Dunlop by lapidaries in Germany. Dunlop’s work is often confused with that of another female jewellery designer of the same period, Dorrie Nossiter. The business closed at the outbreak of World War II in 1939 and Dunlop never returned to work due to ill health. After the war Nathanson re-started the business and continued producing jewellery and silver under Dunlop’s name until he retired in 1971.

Provenance is to Bonhams 2011.

Price range: £2,750

Maker: Sibyl Dunlop

Designer: Sibyl Dunlop

Date : 1929

Marks: S.D, London, date letter “o”

Material: Sterling silver, amethyst

Condition: Excellent.

Size: 13.25cm max diameter, 9.25cm high

Weight : 12.1 oz, 342 grams