Holloway Prison brooch

Designed by Sylvia Pankhurst, the brooch was awarded to members of the WSPU who had been imprisoned.  Described as ‘the Victoria Cross of the Union' the design is of the Portcullis symbol of the House of Commons, the gate and hanging chains are in silver, and the superimposed broad arrow (the conflict symbol) is in purple, white and green enamel. It may have been presented to Rachel de Cadiz - an Irish suffragette.