Although classified here as a piece of costume jewellery, the large Poppy brooch has exceptional detail and shows great craftsmanship in the making.
It is marked MASJ (for Maureen Ann Story-Jones)
The family business was founded by Maureen and Edward Anthony nearly 40 years ago. It was based in the village of Berriew in Montgomeryshire in Wales.
In 1996 Philip Raymond Marsh Wilson became the new director, and two years later William James Whitty took over the company. The original founders continued working until their retirement. Maureen Ann retired in 2004, and Edward Anthony in 2006.
In the early years, they made "silver scenes" jewellery which featured dragonflies, butterflies, flowers and leaf designs. They were all beautifully made and cast in pewter. They were then finished with a silver or gold plate. These pieces are no longer being made and are now becoming highly collectable.
My one is hand-signed on the reverse (as photographed) MASJ. As you can see from my photographs, it is in excellent condition and clean and ready to wear.
It is a nice large size measuring about 3 inches in height - and is 2 inches wide at the widest point.
It will be sent in a nice gift box to you and with Royal Mail Recorded Delivery. This will be applied to your order at the checkout. .