Jewellery, Watches and Objects of Vertu

An Irish bog oak brooch and two 19th century stickpins, the bog oak brooch pierced carved to depict a ruins of Muckross abbey, Killarney, County Kerry, within a shamrock border. the first stickpin terminal modelled as a rat, pavé set with cabochon turquoise; the second with an oval moss agate panel within a surround of cushion-cut garnets. £100-£150

Muckross Abbey was founded in 1448 by a Franciscan friary for the Observantine Franciscans by Donal McCarthy Mor. It had a violent history and has been damaged and reconstructed many times, the friars be subjected to repeated raids. The final battle was at the hands of Cromwellian forces in 1654, persecuting the remaining friars under Lord Ludlow. The abbey was subsequently burned down and today remain as well preserved ruins.