Item description for Antique Guilloche Enamel Sterling Silver Fish Brooch Pin Hemsley 1909

This is a lovely vintage fish brooch or pin by Richard Hemsley. The oval brooch is made of Sterling Silver and silvery grey Guilloche enamel. It has an open work or cut out center with a focal piece that looks like a shield with an Angel Fish in the center. The colors are various shades of blue, white, yellow and black. It measures approximately 2 1/8 inches wide by 1 ½ inches tall. It weighs .50 ounces on my postage scale, which converts to 14.17 grams. It is signed on the back “Sterling” and “RH” inside a rectangular shaped banner on both the back of the frame and on the shield; this is the hallmark for Richard Hemsley. His store was founded in Montreal, Canada in 1870 and was sold in the 1930s. It is stamped and dated on the back RD 1909. He passed away in 1931.

From the Jewelers’ Circular dated May 5, 1920 on page 138, there was an article about Richard Hemsley. It stated “Richard Hemsley, a prominent Montreal jeweler was born in Cirncester, England in 1846 and was apprenticed to the watch making trade. Coming to Canada in 1867 he worked for three years as a journeyman watchmaker and in 1870 started in business for himself. Fifteen years later his place of business was practically ruined by a flood, which ran four feet deep in his store. In 1889 Mr. Hemsley moved to his present place of business on St. James St., where he has built up an extensive and prosperous trade. He was one of the first jewelers in America to take up enameling. In 1912 his business was incorporated as the Richard Hemsley Co., Ltd. with Mr. Hemsley as president and general manager."

There are a couple of tiny spots of wear in the enamel, but that doesn’t hurt the beauty of the piece, and without magnification you can barely notice it (see photos with arrows). The price of the piece is reduced because it is not perfect, please remember it is well over 100 years old. It has a simple C-Clasp closure on the back. It has a nice original dark patina to the silver; I have not polished this brooch as many people prefer the patina that comes with age. I will leave any polishing up to you, if you so desire. Please look at the enlarged photos as they are part of the description and show the details better than I can describe.

This would be a nice addition to anyone’s collection of antique jewelry. It will look great on a sweater or blouse with your favorite pair of jeans for that casual chic look or with that little black dress for a fancy evening out. It is a wearable piece of artwork that is sure to bring compliments.

For more information about me and booth policies, click on Starfisher's Stars at the top of this page, it will take you to the main page of my booth. Thanks for visiting!