Did Damien Hirst rip off his skull?

Encrusted with nearly 9,000 diamonds and worth £50million, one is the latest work by the notorious artist Damien Hirst.

The other is mass-produced in China and costs a mere £128.

But even the most casual of observers would find it difficult to miss the similarities between Hirst's dazzling creation and the pendant on display in a jewellery shop window.

The resemblance has led some to wonder whether Hirst has taken the art of imitation a little too far.

Staff at the store in Central London immediately noticed the similarities when Hirst's For The Love of God was unveiled at a gallery last week.

Indeed, visitors to the jewellers, Butler and Wilson, can choose from more than 100 items that bear an uncanny likeness to the artist's work.

Women can pick up a tiny clutch pin adorned with Swarovski crystals, a snip at just £18. The most expensive item in the range is a mirror surrounded by skulls at £158.

Other pieces include earrings, necklaces and a tiara with 21 tiny skulls sitting across the top.

The clearest likeness, however, is in the skull pendant, about the size of the palm of an adult hand.

It is made up of a comparatively modest 200 or so crystals.

Last night workers at Butler and Wilson admitted they were flattered by the similarities, although they did not suggest that Hirst had copied their idea.

Jen Porritt, the store's stock controller, said: "It's great for us. I don't know if Damien has ever been in and bought anything from the range but it would be great if he had. There is definitely a likeness."

The shop's owner Simon Wilson - who designed the range of jewellery - decided to put the pendant on display after seeing Hirst's piece.

"I think Mr Hirst's skull is fabulous," said Mr Wilson, 62. "But I doubt he came to our men's launch, I think he has an agenda all of his own."

Mr Wilson added that he has been designing jewellery based on skulls for 20 years, explaining: "I love the idea of turning a skull into this glamorous thing."

Shoppers could pick up 390,000 of the pendants for the price of Hirst's skull, which is covered with 8,601 flawless diamonds - three times the number on the Queen's crown. It took Hirst 18 months to make.

By contrast, the Butler and Wilson creations are made in large quantities in China and are on sale in one of the two London stores, a Monte Carlo branch, and online.

It is not the first time Hirst, 41, has been accused of imitating other artists. Last year the designer Robert Dixon claimed Hirst had copied a pattern he drew in 1984 for the artist's work Valium.

And in 2000, Hirst paid designer Norman Emms compensation after copying a toy worth £14.99, which he reproduced as his £1million sculpture Hymn.

A spokesman for Hirst said last night he had been inspired by Aztec art, not Butler and Wilson.