Antique Silver/Scottish Iona Marble Brooch and Paste Thistle Pebble Brooch/Pin

Very unusual antique Victorian Scottish pebble brooch handcrafted by William Henry Leather & Son, who operated out of Pitsford Street, Birmingham between 1895 and 1928. The brooch features a central roundel comprising finely-detailed thistle leaves with a thistle head topped by a purple paste head. On either side are ovals of rare, greenish-white mottled Iona marble highlighted by tiny, regularly-spaced silver spheres. On the reverse, the brooch is stamped for silver and has the WHL maker's mark.

The brooch fastens with a straight pin attached by a tube hinge and closes with a traditional C-shaped clasp. Very good antique condition, with no damage to the nice, crisp silver or marble.

Length 4.8cms x width 2.1cms. Pebble jewellery has been produced in Scotland for hundreds of years, as our country is the source of an amazing array of decorative, semi-precious stones such as agates which can quite often be picked up off the beach!

Iona Marble was found on the Isle of Iona, off the west coast of Scotland. This 2,700 million year old rock is composed of a unique, streaky combination of green serpentine and white limestone.

Known by some as the sacred stone of Columba, green marble has been treasured and crafted by jewellers for centuries. However, the quarry was worked out by about 1918. An example of the marble can be seen today as an altar in Iona Abbey, but it was also sent all over the world from St Andrew's Church in Jerusalem to Adelaide in New South Wales.

Brooches were most favoured as they were both beautiful and functional in holding heavy capes, cloaks and shawls in place. Her death in 1901 signalled a general decline in the popularity of Scottish pebble jewellery. However, nowadays it is incredible sought after, good quality pieces commanding high prices. Please note, photos are enlarged to show detail and scale can be assessed by photo 11.

Sorry, antique box is for display only and is not for sale. This item is in the category "Jewellery & Watches\Fine Jewellery\Brooches & Pins".

The seller is "atlantaa" and is located in this country: GB. This item can be shipped worldwide.

• Brand: William Henry Leather & Son
• Type: Brooch
• Metal Purity: 925
• Base Metal: Sterling Silver
• Main Stone Colour: Green
• Metal: Sterling Silver
• Secondary Stone: Paste
• Main Stone: Iona Marble
• Colour: Purple