Madeleine Marsh

Untitled

Madeleine's Sewing Box: Thimble Earrings
Silver Child Thimbles
These earrings are made from Victorian and Edwardian silver thimbles; light to wear, each one different and shaped by the fingers of their original user. They represent women's everyday history. Rich or poor, all women had to learn to sew and a silver thimble was a cherished possession; given as a love token; passed down from mother to daughter; constantly in use.

Madeleine's Sewing Box Thimble Earrings
Silver Child Thimbles and Adult Thimbles
These earrings are made from Victorian and Edwardian silver thimbles. From childhood every girl, whatever her class, had to learn to sew. To the left is a pair of children's thimbles, to the right adult thimbles.

Madeleine's Sewing Box Thimble Necklace
Silver
This necklace is made from Victorian and Edwardian silver thimbles, each one different and shaped by the fingers of their original user. They represent women's everyday history. Rich or poor, all women had to learn to sew and a silver thimble was a cherished possession; given as a love token; passed down from mother to daughter; constantly in use. Dangling from the ends is an early 1900s French jet button and a single pearl. Pearls are symbolic of tears and I put this on as a symbol of of the immense amount of women's work that these little objects represent.

Madlark Crab - Wall hanging sculpture
Mudlarked Pottery, Pipes and Other Finds 35x25 cm
This wall hanging sculpture is made from mudlarked pottery, dating from the 16th-20th C, beachcombed from the Thames and canals of London. The flexible legs are made from from clay tobacco pipes, discarded by smokers of the past. the fag-butts of the past and a regular river find. Made entirely from found and recycled materials, this sculpture is a celebration of the river and the importance of keeping it free from pollution so that wildlife can survive.

Sea Glass Pendant and Earrings
Sea Glass and Freshwater Pearls
When I am on holiday, I spend hours beachcombing looking for sea glass. It is very hard to find pieces suitable for jewellery. but there is something stragely magical about sea glass; man-made but shaped by nature; hard yet soft to the touch and the frosted colours are beautiful. This aqua glass looks like the sea. Earrings £45 pendant £60

Madlark Brooch
Edwardian pottery and freshwater pearl.
This mudlarked fragment is a piece of edwardian plate border. Cutting it into a heart shape however has given it a surreal twist. Looking at the image I can now see either one abstracted lady's face looking straight ahead, or two faces in profile looking at each other. One of my favourite brooches, conjuring up the fun of working with found objects.

Coco "Chatnel"
clay and mixed media c.26cms high
Part of a whole series of works dedicated to great artists, irresistible puns and cats. Here is Coco Chatnel (ouch) complete with handbags, miniature perfume bottle, cigarette and a pair of scissors in her tail for those last minute dress alterations.

Madeleine's Button Box Necklace
Vintage Glass Buttons
This necklace is made from early 20th Century glass buttons, each one different. Throughout history buttons have been used both for fastening and decoration. By the 19th century, Birmingham was the centre of the British button industry. Metal was used for uniforms and servants’ liveries – hence the name of Cinderella’s page”Buttons”. Shells were imported from across the empire to make mother of pearl buttons, famously displayed by London's Pearly Kings and Queens. Elaborate Victorian and Edwardian fashions stimulated demand for tiny buttons for boots, gloves and underwear as well as large decorative buttons. Glass buttons were a speciality of Venice and Bohemia and were also produced in Britain and France.

Neolithic Arrowhead Necklace
Flint arrowhead c.5000 years old
A beautiful neolithic arrowhead set on vintage varnished wood and brass beads, with a polished carnelian stone at back.

Pearl Earrings
Freshwater pearls set on handmade gilt and silvertone findings.
These are my favourite pearl earrings and in my experience, they seem to suit everybody. As Jackie Kennedy famously said "Pearls are always appropriate."

Neolithic Arrowhead Earrings
Flint arrowheads c.5000 years old, gilt wire
Undoubtedly the oldest earrings I have ever made and the wire findings are inspired by ancient Celtic metalwork.

Madeleine's 1920s Makeup Tea towel
cotton
This tea towel shows some of my personal collection of vintage makeup. Some years ago I wrote a history of cosmetics. I needed to illustrate my book, so I began collecting - buying everywhere from smart antique dealers, to EBay; begging friends to ask their mothers and grandmothers to search handbags and bathroom cabinets for forgotten lipsticks and powders. Gradually my historical collection grew and a fascinating history of women’s beauty rituals emerged. This tea towel is devoted to the Art Deco period, when the Flappers of the roaring twenties created a makeup revolution. They cut their hair – see the Shingling Clippers and the Flapper Curler. They shortened their skirts - hence the need for tiny and ladylike leg-shaving razors. They painted their lips, rouged their cheeks, mascarad their eyes and flaunted beautifully enamelled powder compacts. These bright young things scandalised their elders, and pioneered the makeup and grooming practices we all take for granted today.

Madlark bracelets
Mudlarked pottery and semi-precious stones
These bracelets are made from Victorian and Edwardian pottery mudlarked from the Thames and canals of London. Each one is unique and the flexible frames can be adjusted to all wrist sizes. Each bracelet comes with a written history.

Madlark Fish (wall hanging)
Pottery mudlarked from the Thames and Canals of London 35x17cms
This wall hanging sculpture is made from mudlarked pottery, dating from the 17th-20th C. The fins and tail are formed from clay tobacco pipes, the fag-butts of the past and a regular river find. The eye is the top of a ceramic salt cellar c.1920. One of the joys of mudlarking is spotting the occasional fish and this piece is a celebration of the river and the importance of keeping it free from pollution so that wildlife can survive.

Madlark Brooches
Pottery mudlarked from the Thames and Canals of London various
These brooches are made from mudlarked 19thC pottery set with freshwater pearls. The black and white brooches are fragments of Burgess's Anchovy Paste pots, the Victorian gentleman's favourite Breakfast. The Lovebirds are from the Willow pattern, probably the most famous British pottery design of all time.

Madlark bracelets
Mudlarked pottery and semi-precious stones
These bracelets are made from Victorian and Edwardian pottery mudlarked from the Thames and canals of London. Each one is unique and the flexible frames can be adjusted to all wrist sizes. Each bracelet comes with a written history.

Madlark Pendants
Mudlarked pottery and semi-precious stones
These pendants are made from Victorian and Edwardian pottery mudlarked from the Thames and canals of London. They are set on semi precious stones.

Madlark Earrings
Mudlarked pottery and Freshwater Pearls
These earrings are made from 17th-19th C pottery mudlarked from The Thames and canals of London. They are set with freshwater pearls, a suitable addition to a river find! The sterling silver ear wires can be repalced with clips if required.

Madlark necklaces
Mudlarked pottery, silver chain and semi-precious stones
These necklaces are made from Victorian and Edwardian pottery mudlarked from the Thames and canals of London. Each one is differnt. The Willow necklace (top) is probably the most famous British ceramic design of all time. The Willow pattern tells a story of romance, elopement and death, culminating when the two young lovers are transformed into lovebirds, flying together for all eternity. This is the centrepiece of the necklace.

Madlark Mirror
Finds mudlarked from the Thames and Canals of London 60x63cms
This mirror is made from mudlarked finds ranging from a fossilized shark's tooth (c.55M years old), to a Sainsbury's meat paste pot c.1910. It provides a literal reflection of the remarkable diversity of London and the wealth of history that lies buried beneath our feet. These fragments illustrate every aspect of human life from adult vices (smoking and drinking) to childhood pleasures (lost toys and marbles). The mirror reflects times of war (see WWII Bullet) and peace. Top left is a shard of 18th C delft religious tile showing the doves of peace, and bottom right is the arm of a Ganesha, a modern day Hindu river offering. Each piece has a story, that tells the history of London across the centuries. This mirror comes with a written identification of every find.

Transformation!
clay and mixed media 35cmh x 18cmw
Transformation is a celebration of gender fluidity and diversity. After a locked down period of slippers and dressing gowns, this figure also reflects a love of dressing up and going out.

Madlark Necklace
Pottery mudlarked from the Thames, sterling silver chain
The pottery dates from the Victorian and Edwardian periods. A single amethyst hangs downthe back of the neck, complementing the purple flowers.

Vintage stamp Earrings
Vintage stamps and freshwater pearls
These earrings are made from Australian stamps dated 1955, showing a portrait of Queen Victoria and commemorating one hundred years since the issue of the first stamp of South Australia in 1855. The clips can be replaced by earring wires.

sewing Earings
Victorian and Edwardain Silver Thimbles
These earrings are made from Victorian and Edwardian silver thimbles; light to wear, each one different and shaped by the fingers of their original user. They represent women's everyday history. Rich or poor, all women had to learn to sew and a silver thimble was a cherished possession; given as a love token; passed down from mother to daughter; constantly in use.

Arachne - wall hanging sculpture
clay, wire and a vintage brass thimble c.60x34cm
This sculpture was inspired by my thimble jewellery and the current growth of interest in in sewing. Classical mythology is filled with legends concerning sewing and weaving. According to to Greek myth, Arachne was a talented mortal seemstress who challenged Athena, Goddess of Weaving, to a contest. Not only was Arachne's weaving better than Athena's, but she portayed scenes of gods raping and brutalising women. Her winning prize? Arachne was turned into a spider (hence arachnid) and she was condemned to spin for all eternity. This sculpture capures her in mid transformation.

Mermaids Treasure Hunting
Mixed media sculpture 38cmh x 42cmw x18cmd
Mermaids Treasure Hunting is a playful exploration of movement and colour. I wanted to create a fantasy aquatic world on dry land and to capture the sense of figures swimming through water.

Madeleine's Button Box Necklace
19th and 20th C Buttons
This necklace is made from Victorian and Edwardian buttons. Throughout history buttons have been used both for fastening and decoration. By the 19th century, Birmingham was the centre of the British button industry. Metal was used for uniforms and servants’ liveries – hence the name of Cinderella’s page”Buttons”. Shells were imported from across the empire to make mother of pearl buttons, famously displayed by London's Pearly Kings and Queens. Elaborate Victorian and Edwardian fashions stimulated demand for tiny buttons for boots, gloves and underwear as well as larger outerwear buttons, designed to be shown off.

Neolithic Necklace and agate earings
Red jasper arrowhead c3000 BC, set on agate
This is the oldest object I have ever made into a piece of jewellery. Painstakingly knapped from almost translucent red jasper, this Neolithic arrowhead is particularly unusual for its delicacy and it’s near heart shape – an arrow straight to the heart. It is set on tree agate beads. The agate was a favourite stone in the ancient world used for signet rings and jewellery.. Powdered agates drunk in wine were believed to cure poison and wearing an agate was said to repel danger, to attract fortune and friendship. Pliny claimed that agates could avert storms whilst according to the legendary Greek poet Orpheus, "If thou wear a piece of Tree Agate … the Immortal Gods shall be well pleased with thee.”

Flower Basket Earrings
Wicker baskets and flowers
These are some of my favourite earrings, light as a flower to wear and filled with summer whatever the season. They always attract comment and for a full on floral experience I sometimes dab my basket with essential oil.

Key Necklace and Earrings
Vintage keys (19th-20th C) and silvered wire
This necklacke and earrings set was inspired by the powerful symbolism of the key, the most commonplace yet significant object we keep in our pockets. Keys appear in most religions signifying the power of the gods to unlock wisdom and open the door to the afterlife. They also have a long tradition in jewellery signifying the "Key to my heart".

Rude Food Tea Towel
Cotton
Everybody loves the rude food collection on our kitchen shelves, so we photographed it and made it into a tea towel. Guaranteed to make people smile and the perfect stocking filler.

Lockdown Earrings
Vintage Miniature Keys c.2.5cm
These earrings were made during lockdown from vintage miniature keys (early 20th C) from jewellery boxes, cabinets etc. They were designed to record this unusual year, when the word lockdown first appeared in the Oxford English Dictionary.

Compass ring
miniature vintage compass c.1.8cm diam
We've all lost our sense of direction at th moment. Where are we going? What is going to happen? So I made these rings from miniature vintage compasses to help us find our way.

Compass Earrings
Vintage Miniature compasses 1.5cm diam
We've all lost our sense of direction at th moment. Where are we going? What is going to happen? So I made these earrings from miniature vintage compasses to help us find our way.

Sea glass Necklace and Earrings
Sea glass from British beaches, sterling silver chain
I have always collected sea glass from the beach. The result of shipwrecks, Victorian rubbish dumps and litterbugs across the ages, sea glass has a magical quality poised midway between manmade and organic. Each piece of sea glass jewellery is unique and it can take years to find enough matching shards to make a necklace. Earrrings (sold separately) £35

Madeleine's Antiquities: Urbs Roma Necklace & Bracelet
Original Roman Coins, amethyst, white quartz,bronze findings
The Urbs roma (City of Rome) coin dates c. AD 330. It commemorated the founding of Rome and showed Romulus and Remus suckling the she-wolf Lupa. In the ancient world amethysts were considered a powerful amulet. They would prevent drunkeness and warn the wearer of pestilence and danger by losing their colour. Seems somehow sadly appropriate... Necklace £140, bracelet £70

Madeleine's Antiquities:
Anglo Saxon Bronze clothing fastener, agates, bronze findings
In the AngloSaxon period elaborately decorated brooches and clothing fasteners were worn by both men and women. This rare piece was mudlarked from the Thames in the 1980s and dates from 800-900 AD. Remarkably it survived centuries in the water with its heart intact!

Madeleine's Antiquities: Valentinian Necklace
Original Roman Coin , Red Agates, Carnelians, Bronze.
4th Century AD coin from the reign of Valentinian the Great (364-75) and his family. Emperor Valentinian was an able administrator who supported the poor. He was however renowned for his violent temper and travelled with two caged bears, used for quick executions.

Madlark Cormorant Eating an Eel
Pottery, clay pipes etc. mudlarked from the Thames h: c.120cms (including eel)
Made during lockdown from mudlarked material gathered over some 30 years, this is my thankyou to the Thames for providing Londoners with a place of refuge and nature. To see it better, checkout film on my Instagram page @marsh madeleine or my website www.madeleinemarsh.com

Carmen Necklace and Earrings
mixed media
Bring out your inner diva!

Naiad Necklace and Earrings
Freshwater pearls, opalites, sea shells, silver plated wire
In Greek mythology the Naiads were water nymphs who presided over lakes, fountains, streams and all bodies of fresh water. They were famous for their beauty and the waters they guarded were attributed with magical and medicinal powers.

Mermaid Necklace
Shells, grey pearls, silver-plated wire
Necklace £95 Earrings £25

Madeleine's Miniatures: Queens of Jazz
Part of a series of necklaces celebrating the acheivements of remarkable women against the odds. Each neklace comes with a history of the figures portrayed and symbols of their success hang down the back of the neck. Check my website for further details.

Madeleine's Miniatures: Women Artists
mixed media
Part of a series of necklaces celebrating the achievements of remarkable women against the odds. Each neklace comes with a history of the figures portrayed and symbols of their success hang down the back of the neck. Check my website for further details.

Madeleine's Miniatures: Women Scientists
Part of a series of necklaces celebrating the achievements of remarkable women against the odds. Each neklace comes with a history of the figures portrayed and symbols of their success hang down the back of the neck. Check my website for further details.

Madeleine's Miniatures: Crime Writers
Part of a series of necklaces celebrating the achievements of remarkable women against the odds. Each neklace comes with a history of the figures portrayed and symbols of their success hang down the back of the neck. Check my website for further details.

Madeleine's Miniatures: Suffragettes
Part of a series of necklaces celebrating the achievements of remarkable women against the odds. Each neklace comes with a history of the figures portrayed and symbols of their success hang down the back of the neck. Check my website for further details.

Madeleine's Miniatures: Children's Writers
Part of a series of necklaces celebrating the achievements of remarkable women against the odds. Each neklace comes with a history of the figures portrayed and symbols of their success hang down the back of the neck. Check my website for further details.

Madeleine's Miniatures: Flappers
Part of a series of necklaces celebrating the achievements of remarkable women against the odds. Each neklace comes with a history of the figures portrayed and symbols of their success hang down the back of the neck. Check my website for further details.

Madeleine's Miniatures: Stage Beauties
Part of a series of necklaces celebrating the achievements of remarkable women against the odds. Each neklace comes with a history of the figures portrayed and symbols of their success hang down the back of the neck. Check my website for further details.

Madeleine's Miniatures: Screen Sirens
Part of a series of necklaces celebrating the achievements of remarkable women against the odds. Each neklace comes with a history of the figures portrayed and symbols of their success hang down the back of the neck. Check my website for further details.

Madeleine's Miniatures: Ballet Dancers
Part of a series of necklaces celebrating the achievements of remarkable women (and a couple of men) against the odds. Each neklace comes with a history of the figures portrayed and symbols of their success hang down the back of the neck. Check my website for further details.

Madeleine's Miniatures: Fashion Greats
Part of a series of necklaces celebrating the achievements of remarkable women against the odds. Each neklace comes with a history of the figures portrayed and symbols of their success hang down the back of the neck. Check my website for further details.

Madeleine's Antiquities: Trajan Necklace
Original Roman Silver Denarius, lapis lazuli and sterling silver
Trajan was Roman emperor 98-117AD. He was a successful general and a comparatively benevolent ruler with an interest in public works and architecture. Lapis lazuli was a favourite gemstone in the ancient world and was believed to improve the eyesight and protect the heart from melancholy.

Madeleine's Antiquities: Constantine I Necklace
Original Roman coin, green agate, bronze findings
This coin dates from the reignof Constantine the Great AD 306-337. It is set on green agates. In Ancient Rome wearing an agate was believed to repel danger, to attract friendship and to create good fortune.

Madeleine's Victoriana
Victorian Silver Sixpence, amethysts, sterling silver
This coin, shows the young Victoria. Silver sixpences and threepences were regarded as lucky and were hidden in christmas puddings and in the bride's shoe. They were often engraved as love tokens and worn as pieces of jewellery.

Madeleine's Maundy Necklace
George III silver gilt Maundy theepence, onyx, hematite, silver gilt
On Maundy Thursday (the day before Good Friday), the Monarch distributed Maundy money to the poor. Touched by the ruler, these coins were preserved as powerful talismans and were often worn as lucky touchpieces. This George III coin is dated 1763.

Madeleine's Victoriana
Victorian silver threepences, black jet, amethysts
Earrings show the young Queen Victoria on one ear and the older, veiled monarch on the other. Silver sixpences and threepences were regarded as lucky coins and were often worn as jewellery.