Sterling silver brooch with amethysts and sapphires in a blue enamel frame, Edith Linnell.
Edith Margaret Linnell (1877-1961) was a Birmingham jeweller who created jewellery in the style of the British Arts and Crafts movement. She loved to mix different gemstones and gemstones of different cuts in her work. This brooch is a prime example: the central piece is a large, beautifully cut pale blue sapphire. It is surrounded by a deep pink ruby, emeralds, pearls, moonstone and carved garnets.
Silver brooch with assorted gemstones, Edith Linnell, circa 1930.
In her youth, Edith dreamed of becoming a portrait painter, but then became interested in jewellery. She graduated from Vittoria Street School, which was part of the Birmingham Central School of Art. Her work, like that of her peers Bernard Instone, Sybil Dunlop and Dorrie Nossiter, reflects the aesthetics of the Arts and Crafts movement. Edith Linnell’s jewellery is not always signed, making it difficult to identify her work, which is sometimes mistaken for that of a more famous Birmingham School graduate, Bernard Instone.
Silver tourmaline and aquamarine brooch, Edith Linnell, circa 1930.
After leaving Vittoria Street School, Linnell set up a jewellery business in Birmingham, and later opened a shop in Sloane Street, a fashionable part of London.
The Decorative Arts Studio Yearbook 1909: ‘Birmingham. Mrs Linnell is a designer and maker of gold and silver jewellery. She has exhibited at the late Arts and Crafts Society Exhibition in London, also at St Louis; the Bailey Gallery, London; the Albert Hall, London, and the Walker Art Gallery, Liverpool.’
Silver brooch with moonstone, rubies and other gemstones, Edith Linnell, Birmingham, circa 1930.
Unfortunately, Edith Linnell’s shop was destroyed by a bomb during the Second World War and never reopened.
Silver brooch with precious stones (amethyst, rose quartz, blue chalcedony, moonstone, citrine, chrysoprase, aquamarine), Edith Linnell, circa 1925Silver Bowl, Edith Linnell, circa 1920Silver earrings with amethysts and sapphires, Edith Linnell, circa 1920Silver and citrine brooch by Edith Linnell.Diamond and pearl ring, Edith Linnell.Carved purple jade pendant set in sterling silver with topaz, chrysoprase, chalcedony and rock crystal, Edith Linnell.Silver brooch with tourmaline of different shades and rock crystal, Edith Linnell.Silver brooch with moonstone, pink and green tourmaline, amethyst and blue chalcedony, Edith Linnell.Silver earrings with moonstone, pink tourmaline and blue zircon, Edith Linnell.A silver botanical brooch set in a green enamel frame, set with two black mother of pearl cabochons, citrines and tourmalines, Edith Linnell.Sterling silver and amethyst earrings, Edith Linnell, circa 1925 30.Silver amethyst and chrysoprase brooch, Edith Linnell, circa 1930.Silver brooch with chalcedony, amethyst and pearls, Birmingham, circa 1930.Silver and amethyst brooch, circa 1920.Silver sautoir with rose quartz, circa 1920.Silver Papyrus brooch with moonstone, citrine and tourmaline, 1930.Silver ring with rose quartz, chalcedony and amethyst, 1925.Silver brooch with amethyst, moonstone, chalcedony and sapphires, 1930.Sterling silver earrings with aquamarines and emeralds, 1930.Silver opal and pearl ring, circa 1925.Silver bracelet with amethyst, rose quartz, chrysoprase, chalcedony, pink sapphire, 1925Silver ring with ruby, star sapphire and zircon, 1925.Double Circle brooch in silver with rubies and sapphires, Birmingham, circa 1920.Sterling silver earrings with citrine, amethyst and tourmaline, 1925.Agate pendant in silver setting with chrysoprase, 1930.Silver earrings with moonstone, chalcedony, chrysoprase and pink tourmaline, 1930.
