Rhoda Wager Arts & Crafts Black Opal Brooch
Superb black opal brooch by Arts & Crafts jeweller Rhoda Wager. After studying at the Glasgow School of Art and, in the holidays, training under Bernard Cuzner (who designed Liberty & Co’s iconic ‘Cymric’ jewellery), Wager moved to Australia in 1918. “A review of her hand-wrought jewellery at the Dunster Galleries, Adelaide, in 1925, stated that her ‘work is wrought from beginning to end. Each flower, stem and leaf or berry is made separately and soldered on bit by bit’. “Occasionally, she advertised in women’s magazines and in December 1929 her work was illustrated in Art in Australia. Rhoda’s favourite stones were opals and yellow sapphires, for they caught the sun; she used Australian motifs such as gum leaves in her foliage decoration. “Generous, lively and witty, she was passionate about her art; strong-willed and determined, she was a clear-headed, industrious businesswoman. Moving to Queensland in 1951, Rhoda Wager died childless in Brisbane on 2 December 1953 and was cremated with Anglican rites. Her work provides a link with the English Arts and Crafts Movement, and with jewellery designers like Cuzner and Sybil Dunlop.” [Source: https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/wager-rhoda-8944] Era: Arts & Crafts, circa 1920 Stone: Natural Black Opal (not a doublet) Size: 3.5cm by 2.2cm Marks: Stamped 9c Condition: Great antique condition; light wear consistent with age.