SILVER VINTAGE BALLERINA BROOCH - DESIGNED BY FREDERICK MASSINGHAM FOR RETAILER D.H.PHILLIPS 1947

This is one of the famous silver ballerina brooches designed by Frederick Massingham for the retailers D. H. Phillips. It is a registered design no. 8851564. Massingham did a number of different designs - larger, smaller and in pairs. Some brooches and some earrings. This one has the Birmingham Hallmark for 1947. (They range from 1947-1949.)  I am sure it is not a coincidence that the film The Red Shoes - starring Moira Shearer - was the 6th most popular movie in the U.K. in 1948. A clever piece of marketing! I also have 3 more of the brooches but have not had time to photograph them!  Ref: 3076 C69/39

Silver Vintage Ballerina Brooch - Massingham

SILVER BALLET DANCER BROOCH - MASSINGHAM - 1940s - THE RED SHOES

This silver ballet dancer brooch was made in 1949 - just after the film 'The Red Shoes' with Moira Shearer came out in 1948.  There is a full description of the brooch and the maker on my web site - www.gillianhorsup.com - price £88 reference 2797 B128/47.  I am taking it with me today to my shop at Grays Antiques - near Bond Street tube station - in central London.