Jewellery, Watches and Objects of Vertu

A gem set brooch, attributed to Dorrie Nossiter, the rectangular brooch asymmetrically set with a ground of vari-coloured gemstones, of muted shades, incorporating tourmalines, fire opals, citrines, amethysts, etc., with gold foliate details and entwined scrolling tendrils, within silver rectangular outer frame, brooch dimensions 3.7cm x 1.8cm. £300-£500

Dorrie Nossiter (1893-1977) was born in Aston, Birmingham, and studied at the Central Municipal School of Art, Margaret Street, Birmingham, from 1910-1914. Shortly afterwards she moved with her family to Crafnant, Dorset, and after marrying Ernest Guy Robinson in 1922, moved to London where she lived and worked in Lissenden Gardens, NW5. Many of her designs drew inspiration from floral and botanical themes, inspired by her love of gardening, and working with the Arts and Crafts principles of honest design and workmanship.

Her typical choices of gemstones, as seen in this brooch, were aptly described as “chromatic harmonies and contrasts rather than shapes and textures”. (Hinks,1983)


See: Hinks, P., Twentieth century British Jewellery 1900-1980, Faber & Faber, 1983, page 110.