William Hardwick Hall (1937 - 2006) trained at Glasgow School of Art.
Hall (or Bill as he liked to be known) was awarded a travelling scholarship on graduating from GSA in 1959. Over 12 weeks he travelled to the great cities in Norway, Denmark, Sweden and Italy viewing art and architecture
Bill lived and worked on the Isle of Bute from the late 1960s. He designed the most wonderful pieces of silver jewellery, often set with agates. These were retailed in fine galleries and shops around the UK - in Scotland mainly at Clarkson's Jewellers on Victoria Street, Edinburgh and also at the Roger Bilcliffe Gallery in Glasgow.
When Hall was working at for the prestigious jewellers Whitehorn Bros in Hatton Garden in London, he was commissioned to make a brooch for the Queen and also for Princess Margaret.
This is a stunning modernist Scottish silver necklace and it is a classic 1970s design.
The brooch is set with a large polished agate stone, The stone is oval in shape and has a geometric, almost Art Deco, silver setting, as photographed.
It is marked with the maker's initials on the back and the silver hallmark, as photographed. I cant quite make out the date letter due to the position of the hallmark - it is a very tiny one. But defo can make out Hardwicke's mark.
It is a very stylish design.
It measures 4 cm in width and has a height of 4 cm at the widest point. The chain is integral to the design - and is very fine. It is set into the two tiny loops on the top of the main pendant body.
As you can see from my photographs - it is a really special piece - and so beautifully made. These vintage pieces of designer silver jewellery are much sought after - especially of this high calibre.
The pendant comes on a presentation box for the jewellery retailer, Ian Clarkson who had a prestigious shop on Victoria Street near the Grassmarket in Edinburgh.
There is a fantastic website about this much underrated Scottish designer and is work. It has been compiled with much love and interesting insights by his family.
If you would like to know more about him.
Here is the link: