Royal Doulton - Franklin Mint - Bill Bell
For five decades The Franklin Mint has produced and mass-marketed "collectibles.” Its product line began with manufacturing and marketing privately-minted gold and silver commemorative coins and medallions. Besides coins, other offerings included plates, in particular, the very popular Royal Doulton decorative plates.
Nationally known for his enchanting designs on posters, greeting cards, puzzles, and several series Franklin Mint collectors plates, Bill Bell is a native of Philadelphia. He is a self-taught artist who started painting full-time in 1982 after a successfull career as a musician and record company executive. Bell's creations of nostalgia and nonsense are playfull scenes based on memories that shaped his life.
In 1991, a series of Bill Bell designs was released, depicting twelve stories from the bible. This particular design is called 'Two by Two', and shows the gathering of creatures by Noah.
This pendant shows two pigs and is taken from the backstamp of this collectors plate.
As with all Goosehouse Designs jewellery, this unique jewellery is individually handcrafted by me in my studio. My upcycled, sustainable, broken china jewellery is crafted from ethically-sourced, pre-damaged, vintage china, that would otherwise end up in landfill. It is the perfect romantic gift for wedding anniversaries, birthdays, Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day and any time you want to show your love through a treasured piece of artisan jewellery.
Your Goosehouse Designs jewellery will be sent to you carefully wrapped and packaged using recycled and recyclable materials. I am committed, at all times, to operating my business in every way I can to be kinder and gentler to the planet.
The silver in this pendant is sterling silver, and is stamped with the .925 stamp.
This square pendant measures 24mm x 24mm x 5mm.
The pendant comes with your choice of necklace -
wire collar 46cm/18"
box chain 56cms/22"
link chain 66cms/26"
snake chain 70cms/27"
Royal Doulton, Bill Bell 'Two by Two', pigs, backstamp, square pendant
The vintage china I use in my jewellery pieces is all recycled from pieces found at garage sales and op. shops, or through vintage dealers, who are happy to pass on some of their less-than-perfect items. I carefully cut out the selected section of china, shape it by hand, then grind the edges nice and smooth. I securely fix the piece into the sterling silver blank, then grout it so it stays firmly in place.
As with all artisan jewellery, some care needs to be taken to keep your piece in as-new condition.
The vintage china in your piece may well be up to a hundred years old, and needs to be treated accordingly. It is not recommended that you swim or shower whilst wearing your jewellery, nor that you wear it gardening or playing sport or any other activity where the item may get badly knocked. China is breakable, after all.
The sterling silver ring and earring hooks are easily adjustable, but care must be taken not to bend them too quickly or too sharply. As with all metals, if they are worked roughly they may break.
The sterling silver bezel will enjoy a regular simple polish with a quality silvercloth. If you do use silver polish, do not get it on the china or the grout. Do not use strong chemicals on your jewellery.