Köchert and Goossens feature in April & May and new series ‘History Meets Industry’ delve into Gold and Diamonds, combining history with current market trends.
Doors open 11am – the Talk starts 11.30am £47.00 per person *
Tea and Coffee on arrival Complimentary Glass of Fizz and sandwich lunch after the talk
APRIL
Thursday 16th, Saturday 18th or Friday 24th
Köchert – The King of Jewellers
Inspired by the exhibition of jewellery made by the Austrian Jewellers Köchert at the Royal Palace of Gödöllő, near Budapest in Hungary, this Gallery Talk will showcase the sumptuous jewellery made for nobility throughout Europe since 1814. These included Empress Marie Louise of France, members of the House of Orleans and of course Empress Sisi, but the House of Köchert also supplies Princess Caroline of Hanover – one of their most prominent modern patrons and Princess Charlene of Monaco. A fabulous array of beautiful jewellery awaits showing examples of Köchert exquisite jewellery from the early C19th to the present day.
APRIL
Friday 17th or Saturday 25th
History Meets Industry
Gold – Divine Symbol or Global Asset
In the first of our new series of talks that combines history with current market trends in the jewellery, precious metals and gemstone markets, we will look at Gold. Gold is currently a topic of hot debate, as prices surge, dip, then surge again. Back in circa 3000 BC, the Egyptians described gold as ‘more plentiful than dirt’ and since then it has been used to create some of the world’s finest jewels and works of art. Alongside such creations we will consider if Gold has become more important as an investment than creating jewellery, what drives the price of gold in our world today and, as it is a Global Asset, is this at the expense of jewellery being melted down? The big question is – does the price of gold now outweigh the value of the beauty of a piece of jewellery?
MAY
Thursday 7th, Saturday 9th or Friday 29th
Glorious Goossens – Fashion Jewellery Extraordinaire
Supplier to the magnificent Chanel and Dior, Robert Goossens, established his firm in 1950 and brought an air of extreme opulence to jewellery design from the mid C20th going on to supply Balenciaga, Yves Saint Laurent, Alexander McQueen, Sonia Rykiel and Thierry Mugler. As we step into Spring, what better way to enjoy fashion and jewellery than with the C20th greats that bought his creations and named him “Monsieur Bijou”.
MAY
Friday 8th or Thursday 28th
History Meets Industry
Diamonds – Rarity versus Accessibility
Initially valued as mystical talismans and then for centuries reserved for royalty, diamonds have constantly fascinated us and became associated with love when Archduke Maximilian of Austria gifted a diamond engagement ring in 1477. Today the rise of laboratory grown diamonds has shifted the market. This Gallery Talk will delve into the importance of the history of diamonds and what impact Laboratory Grown diamonds has had on the market of this beautiful gem.
Lectures are individually priced at £47* and include tea or coffee on arrival and a complimentary glass of fizz and sandwich lunch after the Talk.
The Gallery doors will open between 11am and 11.15am and the Talk will commence at 11.30am