topaz brooch

This topaz brooch originally belonged to Jane Morris. This may have been given to her by Rossetti, who liked a bit of bling on his women.

V&A
made about 1820-30

A pin designed by May about 1903

May began to design jewellery around the turn of the 20th century. She was probably inspired by the Birmingham jewellers Arthur and Georgie Gaskin, who were old family friends. May used colourful stones, often cabochon-cut (dome-shaped), and drew upon the forms and decoration of European folk jewellery. Many Arts and Crafts jewellers worked in this style.

This was given to the V&A by her friend Miss Vivian Lobb

Gold filigree brooch

This gold filigree brooch set with a large citrine and small emeralds and rubies was presented to Jane Morris as a gift from her husband William Morris. 

This brooch is among the number of jewels that she bequeathed to the V&A. Many of the others were gifts from her celebrity acquaintances including Rossetti himself. 

http://stalkingthebelleepoque.blogspot.com/2011/07/mastery-of-design-jane-morris-brooch.html

DGR's preliminary sketch for the pearl brooch

DGR's preliminary sketch for the pearl brooch that he himself designed, circa 1863-69 (source: Rossetti Archive)...

Jane's brooch

Jane Morris, known as Janey, was the wife of the artist, designer and socialist William Morris. She was often painted by the artist Dante Gabriel Rossetti, who gave her this brooch. During the 1860s Rossetti visited the curiosity shops around Leicester Square and Hammersmith, collecting exotic jewellery and accessories for his paintings. This brooch is set with pastes (artificial gemstones). Fanny Cornforth wore it as a pendant in the The Blue Bower, painted by Rossetti in 1865. 
Some of Jane Morris's jewels were bequeathed to the V&A by her daughter May in 1938. They included items given to her by Rossetti, such as this brooch.

http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O76729/brooch/

Detail of the Blue Dress

Showing her jewellery

Plaited gold, the clasp set with rubies

Plaited gold, the clasp set with rubies

c. 1850


Bequeathed by May Morris

http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O76728/bracelet/#.T1TcDHaDKyk.facebook

Plaited gold, the clasp set with rubies

Plaited gold, the clasp set with rubies

Bequeathed by May Morris 

http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O76728/bracelet/#.T1TcDHaDKyk.facebook

Silver, set with amazonite, williamsite, seed pearls and lapis lazuli

About 1903 (made)

Artist/Maker:
Morris, Mary (May), born 1862 - died 1938 (designer)

Materials and Techniques:
Silver, set with amazonite, williamsite, seed pearls and lapis lazuli

http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O76683/pendant/

Silver, set with amazonite, williamsite, seed pearls and lapis lazuli

May Morris was the daughter of the artist, designer and socialist William Morris. She was a talented embroideress and jeweller in her own right. May began to design jewellery around the turn of the 20th century. She was probably inspired by the Birmingham jewellers Arthur and Georgie Gaskin, who were old family friends. 
May used colourful stones, often cabochon-cut (dome-shaped), and drew upon the forms and decoration of European folk jewellery. Many Arts and Crafts jewellers worked in this style. This brooch was probably inspired by a paste-set heart-shaped brooch which had belonged to the painter Dante Gabriel Rossetti. He had often painted her mother Janey Morris.

http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O76683/pendant/

Gold, set with a white opal, water opals and pearls.

May Morris

http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O76650/pin/

Silver, set with freshwater pearls, garnets and chrysoprase

Morris, Mary (May), born 1862 - died 1938 (designer and maker)

Materials and Techniques:
Silver, set with freshwater pearls, garnets and chrysoprase

http://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O76641/girdle/

Topaz in a gold filigree frame

This topaz brooch originally belonged to Jane Morris. Jane Morris, known as Janey, was the wife of the artist, designer and socialist William Morris. She was often painted by the artist Dante Gabriel Rossetti. Some of her jewels, including items given to her by Rossetti, were bequeathed to the V&A by her daughter May in 1938.

Citrine and gold with cannetille decoration

This citrine brooch originally belonged to Jane Morris. Jane Morris, known as Janey, was the wife of the artist, designer and socialist William Morris. She was often painted by the artist Dante Gabriel Rossetti. Some of her jewels, including items given to her by Rossetti, were bequeathed to the V&A by her daughter May in 1938.

22 carat gold ring

This gold chain and the wedding ring suspended from it originally belonged to Jane Morris. Jane Morris, known as Janey, was the wife of the artist, designer and socialist William Morris.The ring bears the London hallmark for 1858, the year of her marriage to Morris. Some of her jewellery was bequeathed to the V&A by her daughter May.

Belt and hanger

Jane Morris, known as Janey, was the wife of the artist, designer and socialist William Morris. She was often painted by the artist Dante Gabriel Rossetti, and in his painting Astarte Syriaca, of 1877, she is wearing this girdle.

Some of Jane Morris's jewels were bequeathed to the V&A by her daughter May in 1938, including this girdle.

Silver

Gold, set with mirrored and clear glass

Gold, set with mirrored and clear glass

about 1850 probably from India originally

owned by Jane

May Morris bequest

A Buckle of Indian origin

Part of the May Morris bequest to the V&A but given its date of 1850
was probably Jane's originally

Hair ornament and pair of sleeve clasps - May Morris about 1905