A letter accompanying this gold, diamond and fire opal brooch, formed as a columbine, below, confirms it was part of the International Exhibition of Modern Jewellery held at The Goldsmiths Hall, London, in 1961. David Mappin writes on September 20, 1961, that the brooch, made for the actress Dinah Sheridan (1920-2012), would be the firm’s entry for the exhibition’s De Beers’ Open Competition (Category D).
It also lists the consortium of craftsmen involved in the design and manufacture of the brooch: Douglas Anderson – Artist of the portrait in miniature concealed within the trumpet; Harry Elisha – Master Craftsman in mounting and setting; Tom Hustler – Photographer; David Mappin – Gemmologist and Co-ordinator; Anne Seymour – Artist of the diamond plan sketches; Moyes Stevens – Floral advice.