Some of the pieces on offer were those illustrated in Paul Atterbury and John Benjamin’s The Jewellery and Silver of HG Murphy (2005), with others forming part of unused stock in trade.
Chosen as the front-cover illustration to Woolley & Wallis’ July 19 Jewellery and Watches catalogue is a circular pendant centred by an oval cabochon blue sapphire, above, within borders of enamel, gold strapwork rubies and emeralds. It will be offered in its original fitted box with an estimate of £5000-7000.
Much of Murphy’s output remains affordable. A range of silver brooches at Salisbury have estimates of £200-300.
The 2in (5cm) example (London 1939) above is worked as the map of Ireland within a border of stylised shamrocks. The emerald cabochon, positioned in the approximate location of Kilkenny city, is a reference to Murphy’s own ancestry.
