Murrle, Bennett & Company were founded in London in 1896, a partnership between Ernst Mürrle of Pforzheim, Germany and John Baker Bennett, an Englishman. It originated as the wholesale jewellery business, Siegle & Bennett in 1884 with Mr Mürrle replacing Mr Siegle in 1896. The company changed hands and name in 1916 to Whitegrove and White after Mürrle had to return to Germany at the outset of the First World War. Mürrle and Bennett worked with renowned designers such as Theodore Fahrner and Archibald Knox, and also both produced pieces for and were rivals to Liberty &Co. Their pieces are highly collectible and regarded and are famous for their Art Nouveau, Jungenstil and Arts and Crafts designs.
 
This stunning butterfly brooch dates from the Art Nouveau era, c.1900. It is made from 9ct gold and set with gorgeous cabochon opals and old cut rubies. It is marked on the reverse, “MB&Co 9ct”. The butterfly rests on a knife edge bar with a very secure “C” clasp.
 
It’s in very good antique condition. One lower half of his legs (the left as we view it from the front) was missing so this has been professionally and sympathetically restored. The small ruby in the tip of his upper right wing was also replaced as was missing. There are some minor, shallow scuffs to the surfaces of the opals, the biggest on the central opal, and some natural white/colourless inclusions/fissures, none of these visible when worn.
 
I have tried to show the brooch in different lights in the photos. I never edit the colours in any product photography, the opals really are that colour! There are translucent with a light shining behind them, and glow blue didn’t flashes of orange, green and purple in both direct and low natural light.
 
 
Length: 4.76cm
 
Butterfly from top of antennae to bottom of feet: 1.96cm
 
Top wing tip to top wing tip: 2.7cm
 
Largest opal: 7.5mm x 5.1mm approx
 
Weight: 5g
 
 
Please note: any boxes and jewellery in photographs are for display purposes only and not included in the sale.