For sale is this simply incredible silver and enamel buckle by Ernestine Mills.  The buckle is made in two interlocking pieces each set with a superb depiction of a peacock.  Each enamel is signed with Mills’ monogram”EM”.

I will stick my neck out and say these are the best enamels I have handled, and that includes some works by Alexander Fisher.  It is truly a museum quality piece and outstanding example of Mills work. The colours are faithfully represented in the images and not photoshopped. The V & A Museum has a mirror in copper and enamels that can be seen at this link with very similarly designed peacocks, also both facing to the right.  For more information on Mills see “New Dawn Women” by Irene Cockroft which also illustrates a pair of book ends to similar design.

The silver is unmarked   Condition is excellent, the enamels are in excellent original antique condition.  The buckle is contained within a modern fitted box.

Ernestine Mills was a suffragette, and enameler and metalworker.  You can read more about her at her wiki page here.    I have included in “other images” a photo of Ernestine Mills, having fallen to the ground (apparently hit)  whilst protesting as a suffragette.  Her husband is the figure to the left, standing over her.

Price: Sold

Maker: Ernestine Mills

Designer: Ernestine Mills

Date : c 1905

Marks: EM.  Silver unmarked

Material: Silver, enamel

Condition: Excellent.

Size: 10 cm width, 8 cm height

Weight : NM