Rare Charles Horner Staybrite Duette Brooch & Dress Clip Set 1940s Art Deco Faux Marcasite Pin

This rare 1940s duette brooch and dress clip pair, created at the Charles Horner Works in Halifax, features the patented Horner faux marcasite 'Staybrite' alloy, a tarnish free marvel Horner patented during the late Deco period. The design, with its graceful interlocked buckle motif, has a subtle Celtic influence. The dress clips, with a sprung mechanism, slide onto a central rail to form a brooch, and can also be worn separately. The brooch fastens with a secure C clasp and measures 2 x 1 inches, with a 1-inch width. In excellent condition, this remarkably bright and well-preserved piece is a rare and collectible WWII-era jewel.

Established in Halifax in the 1860s, and carried on into the 20th century by Charles Horner's sons, the Horner Works became known for innovation in materials and design used to make jewellery and other accessories - they patented a revolutionary thimble design, the casein plastic Dorcasine, and the Staybrite alloy, which are becoming very collectible. Staybrite was intended to remain continually shiny and tarnish free (and it has!). It was used by Charles Horner's heirs to produce imitation marcasite brooches in the early 1940s which are featured in Tom Lawson's book Charles Horner of Halifax, page 230.

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Many thanks! Alice xx