Featured Reproduction William Spratling Dragonfly

I have a serious condition, its called the: 'lets collect from every item I own a second or third example!'

When I saw this dragonfly brooch with wooden wings listed as: 'insect brooch from the '80s-90's' I had to have it, because now I have TWO of these dragonfly brooches! (I posted the original WS brooch with tortoise wings here a few weeks ago).

This dragonfly doesn't have the correct marks on the right places so I assume it is a reproduction.

There is no eagle mark so maybe it is made after '79? But then again, for my (untrained) eyes it has the same quality as the original Spratling brooch, and it IS marked so someone had enough pride to tell everyone he made it.

Maybe an early '40s-'50s-60s reproduction after all?

I must admit I really like it.

I can read one stamp on the tail of the Dragonfly, which to me says: F H and some figure in between. On the other side of the tail there is another mark I can not decipher, it looks like a crab or some other creature.

What do you think of my second Dragonfly? Early or later repro?

 

I have no idea who William Spratling is and cannot help for identification, but whoever he is, his brooch is really beautiful - I like dragonfly brooches in general, and this one is particularly delicate and fine. Congratulations for having it!

 

Reproduction would not be the right term

Copy maybe

The mark looks like it might be French

May not be enough there to tell for sure

Well possible Spratling copied someone else

The backside mark is gibberish from the anvil

 

They'd make nice earrings.

 

Terry5732, thank you very much for your reply. Never thought about French origins... Ok, copy that is.
Sometimes its difficult to find the correct term.
Bosko69: yes indeed! They are a bit big at almost 7cm wide, but the model would be great for earrings.

 

Big Earrings for empowerment ! Quite a nice repop.

 

Enlarged 2X and 3X...........



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bootifuel Aqui !

 

those do look identical.......
could one have got away without the mark on the wing???
a mystery..

 

did Spratling have a workshop where his original designs could be produced....at a lesser value..?
horn vs wood wings..?

 

Aquitaine, thank you for the effort! The mark you enlarged was the F H mark I also took a picture of with the looking glass.
Still hoping someone will know that mark.
Komokwa indeed, they really look the same, without the good marks though.

 

Ha! We must indeed share some genetics... Me too will buy several of same (evidently not exact same for hand made antiques )!

The mark on your second brooch is the French weevil, stamped on unmarked import pieces.
Your maker's mark isn't French, because it is not in a lozenge. But the two letters on each side of a symbol is the tradition for French makers.
Maybe it is the original model and Fratling took model of it for his production
And... You know what? The bug collector in me LOVES them!

 

Gorgeous second find, @Dessert58 .
Terrible affliction though, I feel for you.

The French girl beat me to it.

 

Show us your favorite bug jewelry sometime.I love Aesthetic Movement bugs.

 

Quote-'Your maker's mark isn't French, because it is not in a lozenge.' Like the hieroglyphs in a Pharaoh's cartouche.

 

you'll find everything you need right here.....
sit down with a hot coffee , and enjoy Kyra at work......!!!

https://www.antiquers.com/threads/some-kyratisations-aka-my-cosmetic-repairs.36028/

 

don't push me... there would be an invasion

 

I think these are both done by the same maker despite the marks added later.

 

Kyratango thank you for the explanation. I looked up the French Weevil mark because I honestly didn't know it, and thats it. But omg what a horrendous ugly animal!
Any Jewelry its a disease, I tell you!
Now that I think of it: three children! I need help!
Antidiem, that would be great! Hopefully someone who knows WS pieces will chime in.

 

Komokwa, omg! That link with Kyra projects is amazing!