CASTELLANI: GOLD AND ENAMEL 'MILLEFIORI' BROOCH AND SEVEN GOLD BEADS, CIRCA 1860
The circular brooch with a central putto amongst flowers with white, blue and red enamel, within a ropetwist and blue enamel surround, together with seven gold beads with pellet and wirework decoration, brooch with maker's mark CC, lengths: brooch 4cm, beads 1.5cm, case by Cameo Corner, 26 Museum Street, London WC1, accompanied by a purchase receipt for the brooch from Cameo Corner dated 14th March 1973
Footnotes:
For a comparable brooch example, see Weber Soros, Susan., 'Castellani and Italian Archaeological Jewellery', p.235, pl. 9-11. Many variations of this 'millefiori' motif are known, and these brooches are one of the jewels that can be directly related to designs of Michelangelo Caetani, which are kept at the Fondazione Camille Caetani , Rome (Munn, G., 'Castellani and Giuliano', 1984, p. 48. These brooches are typically domed in the centre, whereas the design of lot 32 is flat.

For a 'Campana' necklace by Castellani containing similar beads, see Weber Soros, Susan., 'Castellani and Italian Archaeological Jewellery', p. 215, pl. 8-23.

Provenance:
Hilary Clarke of Cameo Corner (1925-2015)

Known as 'Jill' to her friends, Hilary Clarke was one of the first women to be made a Fellow of the Gemmological Association in 1951. In her early career she worked as a designer for Edward Barnard & Sons of Hatton Garden (1950-1951) and S Root & Co. Ltd (1951-1954) before joining Cameo Corner, Bloomsbury as assistant manager in 1954.

Cameo Corner (located at 26 Museum Street, just behind The British Museum) had a world-famous reputation not only for its historic jewels but for its royal, as well as celebrity connections. Queen Mary, Princess Margaret and Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother had all been frequent visitors.

When Hilary Clarke was made a director in 1962 she instigated a series of annual modern jewellery exhibitions which soon became a regular fixture in the trade calendar until the shop eventually closed in 1978. In 2001, in recognition of her contribution in promoting the work of British studio jewellers from the early Sixties until the mid-Eighties, she was awarded The Centennial Medal by the Society of Designer Craftsmen.

Hilary Clarke's vast knowledge of jewellery history has become legendary within the industry. She was frequently asked to give talks and lectures and retained, until her death, close ties to The Society of Jewellery Historians.

Black and white photography of Hilary 'Jill' Clarke © Private Collection

The brooch overall in good condition. Some of the flowers with what appears to be enamel loss, but most likely part of the manufacture and isn't noticeable without 10 magnification. Some minor tarnish and light surface wear to reverse.

Three of the beads with loss of granulation decoration, one with a dent at the top. The beads testing as 18ct gold.