The Wagner Girdle
The elaborate enamelled plaques on this girdle are decorated with scenes from Richard Wagner’s operas. Alexander Fisher was a key artist in the revival of painted enamel in England. He exhibited his work with the Arts & Crafts Exhibition Society, while teaching and writing on the subject of enamelling. He exhibited this magnificent piece in an unfinished state at the Royal Academy in 1895.
The Wagner Girdle
London, 1893-6
Designed and made by Alexander Fisher (1864-1936)
Steel with gold inlay, enamel, citrines, amethysts, opals, moonstones, coral, turquoise and pale green stained chalcedony
Given by Mrs O.E. Bostock and Mr Ivan Horniman
V&A: M.20:1 to 8-1943
This image shows how the various parts of the girdle could have been assembled.