Jewels of Royal Mistresses, Art Nouveau, Early Cartier and Marie Antoinette feature in the January and February Talks.
Doors open 11am – the Talk starts 11.30am
£42.00 per person
Tea and Coffee on arrival
Complimentary Glass of Fizz and sandwich lunch after the talk
January
Wednesday 8th, Saturday 11th, Friday 24th or Thursday 30th
A Jewelled Affair:
The Jewellery Collections of Royal Mistresses
A sparkling start to the New Year looking at the jewellery acquired by various Royal Mistresses. Included in the presentation, amongst others will be – Barbara Villiers, mistress to Charles II and the woman known as ‘the uncrowned queen’. Maria Fitzherbert, who owned beautiful sentimental jewellery, and was described by George IV as “the wife of my soul”. Alice Keppel, the favourite of Edward VII, received jewels from him that reflected the beauty and grandeur of the Edwardian period.
January
Thursday 9th, Saturday 25th or Friday 31st
Revolutionary and Profound:
The Jewellery of the Art Nouveau Period
The Art Nouveau period emerged during the latter part of the 19th century. It was a beautiful style of jewellery that moved away from the ornate designs of the early and mid-Victorian periods. Nature and the female form were combined to produce extremely elegant jewels. The works of Cartier, Vever and Lalique will be amongst the designers that are considered as well at the importance of the Wiener Werkstätte.
Februuary
Saturday 8th, Friday 14th or Thursday 27th
Cartier: The Early Years of Magnificence
As the Cartier exhibition at the Victoria & Albert Museum approaches, we begin our study of one the most important jewellers in the world. Founded in Paris 1847 this talk will consider Cartier’s early style and who their competitors were. What made Cartier’s work stand out and who was buying their amazing jewellery.
February
Wednesday 5th, Saturday 15th or Friday 28th
A Life of Luxury:
The Magical Jewellery of Marie Antoinette
Marie Antoinette was the last Queen of France. She helped to provoke the unrest which ultimately led to the French Revolution and overthrow the monarchy in 1792. Following the recent sale of a diamond necklace from her collection for $4.8 million, this talk will look at how she influenced fashion and jewellery design during her life and the stories behind her jewellery collection.
Lectures are individually priced at £42* 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