A Touch of Suffragette History
A Touch of Suffragette History: Edwardian Gold Brooch Features in Our Forthcoming Auction
An elegant Edwardian Art Nouveau brooch, featuring the distinctive purple, white and green colours associated with the Suffragette movement, is among the fascinating pieces of jewellery coming under the hammer in our forthcoming November sale.
Jewellery has long been more than simply a decorative accessory. Throughout history, it has been used to express personal beliefs, social standing and political allegiance. During the early 20th century, as the campaign for women’s right to vote gathered momentum, jewellery became one of the more subtle ways in which supporters could demonstrate their solidarity with the Suffragette movement.
Among the lots featuring in our forthcoming auction is a particularly attractive Edwardian 15ct gold Art Nouveau brooch, set with a vibrant green peridot, a purple amethyst and delicate white seed pearls. Measuring 22.8mm wide and weighing 5.45g, the brooch is marked ’15ct’, with its gold content further confirmed by XRF testing.
The Colours of the Suffragette Movement
In 1908, the Women’s Social and Political Union (WSPU), founded by Emmeline Pankhurst and others in 1903, adopted purple, white and green as its official colours.
Each colour carried a particular meaning:
- Purple represented dignity.
- White symbolised purity.
- Green signified hope.
Together, these colours became a powerful visual identity for the movement, appearing on banners, ribbons, clothing, badges and jewellery.
The colour scheme was particularly effective because it allowed women to demonstrate their support for the campaign while remaining within the fashionable conventions of Edwardian society.
An Elegant Example of Edwardian Craftsmanship
The brooch offered in our forthcoming sale is a charming example of the delicate craftsmanship associated with the Edwardian era.
Fashioned in 15ct gold, a gold standard commonly encountered in British jewellery of the period, the piece incorporates the graceful styling characteristic of Art Nouveau design.
Its arrangement of coloured gemstones and seed pearls gives the brooch a refined appearance, while its compact proportions make it an appealing and wearable antique jewel.
Beyond its decorative qualities, the brooch offers a fascinating opportunity to reflect upon a period of profound social change, when jewellery, fashion and political identity became closely intertwined.
Discover this piece in our November sale.