Lot 243
Dorrie Nossiter (Attributed): A multi-gem plaque clip
Auction: Lots 15 to 251 | Wednesday 22 October 2025 from 1pm
Description
Of rectangular openwork form, collet-set with circular and oval-cut gemstones, including green tourmaline and zircon, and oval cabochon emeralds, step-cut paste, adorned with applied stylised grape leaves and tendrils, unsigned, length 4.7cm
Provenance
From the estate of Lady Phyllis Mary Coryndon (née Worthington) (1880-1961) Hence by descent.
Originally born in South Africa, Robert Coryndon (1870-1925) became one of colonial Africa’s most noteworthy administrators as Governor of Uganda and then Kenya.
Early in his career, he worked as a secretary to Cecil Rhodes (1896-1897). In 1909 he married Phyllis Worthington, and they had four children. They made their life in Africa due to Robert Coryndon’s work for the British government. Together with his wife Phyllis, he worked to positively improve the impact the Empire had on Africa. They fought for African welfare, and they tried to reconcile the needs of African development with the economic expansion of the Empire. His legacy is still regarded as having a very positive impact on African and colonial rights.
When Robert Coryndon died unexpectedly in 1925, Lady Phyllis moved back to England where she lived for many years. She campaigned for children in poverty and difficult circumstances. Her efforts including speaking on the subject to the Women's Institute and encouraging the employment and education of these children.
According to her family, Lady Phyllis was very involved in the English Arts & Crafts movement from the mid / late 1920s onwards. She herself was an artist, specialising in silk painting and embroidery. Eventually she returned to Kenya, with her daughter Honor, where she died in 1961.
Also see lots 18, 20, 21, 22, 123, 161, 241, 242, 244.
Footnote
Dorrie Nossiter (1893-1977) was a goldsmith and jewellery designer working in England in the Arts & Crafts style. She studied at the Municipal School of Art in Birmingham. In 1922 she married and lived in Dorset, where, as a keen gardener, she was inspired by the plants and colours she saw in her garden. By the early 1930s Dorrie Nossiter’s business address was registered as at Lissenden Gardens NW6. She regularly exhibited on Bond Street, London, and from 1935 to 1939 she was featured as part of the Art by Four Women exhibition at the Walker's Gallery in London. Her recognisable style features naturalist details coupled with densely packed colourful gemstones.
Nossiter's work is frequently misattributed to another female contemporary designer Sybil Dunlop. Neither designer signed their works regularly. This collection represents a rare link to the artist directly through the original owner who acquired the jewels from Nossiter.
Also see lots 241, 242 and 244.