Untitled
Louis Osman (Exeter 1914 - 1996)
Category
Jewellery
Date
Unknown
Materials
Place of origin
Canons Ashby
Collection
Canons Ashby, Northamptonshire
NT 495549
Summary
A 22-carat gold opal parure by Louis Osman (1914-96), 1972-73, comprising a hinged torque collar, hinged bangle, two ear pendants, ring and brooch. Each piece is designed with an organic branching form supporting graduated oval cabochon opals. The claws are set above concave dish mounts with hammered finish. The collar, bangle, ear pendants and ring are hallmarked London, 1972, with maker's mark 'LO'. The brooch is unmarked. All pieces are contained within a carved yew wood and silver fitted case designed and made by Osman.
Provenance
Gold opal parure designed by Louis Osman (1914-96) and made by his goldsmith Malcolm Green at Canons Ashby, Northamptonshire in 1972 and 1973 for Maurice and Dorothy Jenkins, the pieces set with opals purchased by Maurice Jenkins in Australia; fitted case made by Osman at a later date; thence by descent to Victoria, Toby and Claire Jenkins. Exhibited at Canons Ashby, May 1974. Consigned to auction at Noonans, Mayfair, 26 November 2024, lot 373 and purchased by the National Trust for Canons Ashby in 2024, with support from a National Trust fund set up by the late Simon Sainsbury.
Makers and roles
Louis Osman (Exeter 1914 - 1996), designer