Thomas Forester started business in 1877 at a small works in the High Street, Longton,
making majolica, earthenware and later, china. By 1893 the business was recorded as employing 520 people at the "Imperial and Phoenix Works" and by 1900 they employed over 700 people.
I have been unable to learn anything at all about this particular design, except that the backstamp shows it to have been manufactured between 1942 and 1947 during the Wartime Concentration Scheme.
This set consists of a single necklace and a pair of matching earrings.
The earrings and pendant can be purchased separately if you wish.
See 'china earrings' and 'china pendants'.
As with all Goosehouse Designs jewellery, these unique pieces are individually handcrafted by me in my studio.
The silver in this set is sterling silver, and is stamped with the .925 stamp.
This rectangle pendant and earrings measure 30mm x 15mm x 5mm.
The earring hooks are sterling silver.
The pendant comes with your choice of necklace -
wire collar 46cm/18"
box chain 56cms/22"
link chain 66cms/26"
snake chain 70cms/27"
Thomas Forester and Sons green and gold rectangle china earring and pendant set
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.