Object Description
A gold boxing hares brooch by Alabaster & Wilson 1990, the brooch in 18ct yellow gold depicts a pair of boxing hares, standing on their hind legs facing each other with fore legs raised and mid fight, the eyes detailed with tiny rose cut diamonds and the inner ears highlighted in white gold, all to a single brooch pin fitting on the reverse. Boxing hares are one of the traditional signs of spring in the English countryside. Often thought to be two males coming to blows it is in fact a female hare trying to ward off the overzealous attentions of a male during the March mating season. The apparent fury with which some of these hares will box is believed to have inspired the saying “mad as a March hare”.
Maker
Alabaster & Wilson
Period
1990
Origin
English
Setting
18ct yellow gold with maker’s mark and Birmingham assay marks for 1990
Weight
20 grams
Dimensions
3.6cm/ 1.4″ tall
3cm/ 1.1″ wide
Condition
Very fine