This is a bright and cheerful 1950s vintage brooch by Aksel Holmsen of Norway in sterling silver and enamel, featuring a small curved stem supporting a flower with four large petals.
The stem and flower centre are a frosty white enamel while the petals are basse-taille enamel with ridges along their lengths showing through a wonderful translucent “true” red. There are open arcs between the petals and all the silverwork is lightly gilded or gold-washed except for the petal edges, which are distinctly silver.
The pin direction suggests the brooch should be worn petals down but it could also be worn sideways. It is fitted with an old-style tube hinge and c-clasp which seem to have stayed in use in Scandinavia far longer than anywhere else.
The brooch is 4.4 cm wide by 3.2 cm high (1.75″ x 1.25″) and marked on the reverse with the Aksel Holmsen maker’s mark (like two sideways W’s joined at the points – see pic) and “925S” for sterling silver, above “MADE IN NORWAY STERLING“.
The brooch is in very good vintage condition with just a slight amount of wear to the gold wash on the back – it seems intact on the front. The enamel is in perfect condition with just a tiny (not at all noticeable) original flaw (dimple) at the side of the flower centre but no scuffing or damage of any kind (any odd spots in the pictures are reflections). The clasp holds securely.
