The Allure of Adornment, a 5000 year old tradition: Indian Treasures at the Victoria & Albert Museum
27TH NOVEMBER 2015
From nomadic war lords of the silk trading routes to the Mughal Courts, jewels, gemstones and pearls have been used to represent wealth, power and status, as symbols of political aspirations and desires– as well as love – through the centuries. The importance of jewellery in the Indian subcontinent has never waned with its origins buried in antiquity. The wearing of jewellery has a strong ritual significance and worshipping deities adorned with precious stones in temples is said to cure a multitude of ills and be a great influence for good. With the exchange of ideas governed by the trading routes we will discover how the combination of East and West cultures have influenced jewellery designs of yesterday and observe how gems and jewellery play an important role in Indian culture today.
The Art of the Great Parisian Fine Jewellery Houses
3RD DECEMBER 2015
Paris is the custodian of the famous ‘high jewellery’ houses such as Cartier, Boucheron, Chaumet and Van Cleef & Arples who have created jewels that have adorned Kings, Queens, Maharajahs, millionaire industrialists of the 1900’s, bankers, entrepreneurs, Hollywood royalty and some of the most beautiful women in the world. These jewellery houses have continued their quest to create jewels that are innovative in design and beautifully crafted, ingredients needed to make iconic creations that will stand the test of time. The skill’s of the Parisian goldsmith is unrivaled and Joanna has had the unprecedented privilege of being invited to Cartier’s workshops in Paris to discover and witness first hand what goes into making ‘high jewellery’ that will ultimately be sought after and collected by international jewellery connoisseurs. But it is also the stories that lie behind the commissions and the fabulous diamonds, pearls and gemstones that have been used which bring the jewels alive and by sharing these tales we will travel through history following some of their remarkable journeys that have helped make Paris the centre for jewellery luxury and excellence.