Alabaster & Wilson Horse and Jockey Brooch

Made by Alabaster & Wilson of Birmingham circa the 1950s, this race horse and jockey brooch is composed of diamonds, enamel, platinum and gold. It is designed as a pavé-set diamond racehorse at extended gallop ridden by a jockey in enamel "colours" or "silks", the emerald green jacket and sleeves with white double hoops and cap, and gold saddle and girth marked "1". Perfect for the horse-loving equestrian, man or woman, this classic English racing brooch belongs to a long tradition of celebrating the beauty, excitement and athleticism of horses and jockeys.

Country: United Kingdom
Circa: 1950s
Dimensions: 0.825" length, 1.50" width.
Materials: 40 single-cut diamonds (approximate total weight 0.80 carat); Enamel; Platinum; Gold
Signed: A & W makers mark

A stable's particular registered "colours" have a been a feature of English racing since the 16th century. This quasi-heraldic tradition is thought to derive from the colors of English heraldry, from knightly shields to servants' livery, as well as the traditions of horseracing in Italian cities like Siena and other smaller towns in Tuscany. Alabaster & Wilson was located in the jewelers' district of Birmingham from the 1880s and created racehorse brooches for over a hundred years, enameling each jockey's representative colours "to the order of the owner."