DATE: Art Deco, c.1920

A Norwegian sterling silver and guilloché enamel polar bear brooch by Olaf Fritjof Hjortdahl. This Art Deco brooch features a sunset, finely finished in guilloche enamel with tones of peaches and light blues and silver. The sun sets over a polar bear, sat upon a mound of snow surrounded by bright sea water, a great contrast to the golden hues of the sky. Surrounding the hand painted scene, a delicate floral border is finished with black enamel at each corner. 

Olaf Fritjof Hjortdahl specialised in enamel jewellery throughout his career. He was trained in 1905 by Clement Berg, later working with Aksel Holmsen and Ole Olberg. He settled in Oslo in 1914 and established the Bernard Meldahl workshop which specialised in enamel pieces. Bernard Meldahl left in 1931 and Olav Hjortdahl continued under his own name O.F.Hjortdal. 

MEASUREMENTS 

3.7 x 1.8cm

WEIGHT 

4.95g

MARKS 

Stamped 925 S and makers mark N 

CONDITION 

Very good, patina commensurate with age