Antique Irish and Scottish Jewelry Exhibit in Andover
Antique Irish and Scottish Jewelry Exhibit in Andover
The ancient Celts excelled at metalwork. Archaeology has uncovered amazing artistic jewelry and weapons from the distant past that is proof of the skill, imagination and cultural sophistication of the ancestors of the modern Irish, Scots and Welsh. Many of these objects, such as the famed "Tara" brooch, have become emblems of national identity in the Celtic homelands and badges of ethnic pride among immigrants and their descendants.
A Free Exhibit of Victorian Celtic Revival Jewelry
In honor of Saint Patrick's Day, Walker Metalsmiths of Andover presented a free exhibit of antique Celtic jewelry at our newly remodeled Main Street showroom. The collection of jewelry on display included Victorian Celtic Revival examples from both Ireland and Scotland from the late 1800s into the early 1900s.
The Tara Brooch and Irish Celtic Revival
In the years when Ireland was recovering from the Potato Famine there was a renewed interest in the cultural past of that nation as well as a budding interest in archaeology. The discovery of the splendid early medieval "Tara" brooch in 1850 sparked an enormous enthusiasm for the style of Ireland's Celtic past. By 1851 Dublin jewelers were crafting reproductions of the "Tara" as well as many other medieval brooches.
Royal Tara Brooch by Waterhouse & Co. Dublin circa 1850
We are pleased to be showing an example of the Tara Brooch manufactured by the Dublin firm of Waterhouse & Co. This reproduction of the 8th century original was named 'The Royal Tara Brooch' after Queen Victoria purchased two of them from Waterhouse at the Crystal Palace Exhibition in 1851.
From Royal Symbol to Revolutionary Badge
By the time of the Irish uprising of 1916 the Tara brooch had become a national emblem. The reproductions once favored by the British Royal family were then part of the regalia of the rebels. Cumann na mBan the women's auxiliary of the anti-British Irish Volunteers wore Tara style brooches with their parade uniforms. The exhibit includes a modernized enamel version of the Tara brooch in the colors of the Republican Irish flag that was a badge of Cumann na mBan after the War of Independence.
War of Independence Artifacts
Also on exhibit is a medal and certificate in Celtic design that was awarded to one of Michael Collins's men from the Irish War of Independence. William Doran, the father of legendary Hornell, NY radio broadcaster Kevin Doran, fought from 1918 to 1921. The materials are on loan from the Doran family.
Scottish Celtic Jewelry Traditions
On the Scottish side of the exhibit Scotch pebble jewelry is represented. This silver mounted style of agate and semi-precious gem jewelry often followed the shapes and forms of older Celtic and medieval styles and became very popular with the rise of middle class tourism in 19th century Scotland. Kilt accessories, including jeweled knives decorated with Celtic ornament are also on exhibit.
The Modern History of Celtic Jewelry
We published a companion book to the exhibit titled The Modern History of Celtic Jewelry. Although I am a modern Celtic jeweler myself this is not a book about my work. It is an account of the several generations that preceded me. The book is co-authored by Tara Kelly, a Trinity College art history scholar and expert on Victorian Celtic jewelry, E. Mairi MacArthur, a Scottish historian who has done extensive research into the careers of Alexander and Euphemia Ritchie, Celtic designers on the Isle of Iona and the Dublin silversmith Aidan Breen who is himself a living bridge between the Celtic Revival of the early 20th century and the present.
The exhibit remained on display at Walker Metalsmiths for the remainder of the month of March 2016 and remained on view for the Andover Maple Festival April 2.
Explore Our Handcrafted Celtic Jewelry
Inspired by the same traditions showcased in this exhibit, our Celtic jewelry continues the heritage of Irish and Scottish craftsmanship.
Browse Celtic Jewelry → Celtic Pendants →Explore More Celtic Heritage and History
- The Modern History of Celtic Jewellery: 1840-1980 — Learn more about the companion book to this exhibit
- History of the Luckenbooth Brooch — Discover the romantic Scottish brooch tradition
- Celtic Art: The Local Tradition — How Celtic artistry thrives in Andover, NY
- About Stephen & Susan Walker — Meet the artisans behind Walker Metalsmiths
- Celtic Cross History and Symbolism — Explore the meaning behind Celtic cross designs
About the Author
Stephen Walker has been handcrafting Celtic jewelry in Andover, NY since 1984. His research into historical Celtic jewelry traditions led him to co-author The Modern History of Celtic Jewelry and curate this exhibit of Victorian Celtic Revival pieces.
Comments on this post (3)
Benda Walker-Collinson, I also have Walker roots.. Are your Walker relatives from Brecon, Scotland on the east Scottish coast south of Aberdeen?
— Christina Angell
Pls add me to your email listing. This is the first I have heard of you and your jewelry. I’m a genealogist and traced my Mothers family back to a small fishing town in Scotland. Her birth name was Walker.
— Brenda Walker-Collinson
Are you the Stephen Walker photographed with Aiden Breen at the site of the unmarked grave of Henry O’Neill at Dublin in June 2003? If so please contact me. Plans are afoot to mark the grave properly this summer. Dr Peter Harbison’s book Henry O’Neill of the ‘CelticCrosses’ published Wordwell 2015.
Best wishes
MO’SL
— Mary O'Sullivan Long