William and Judith Bollinger Jewellery Gallery
Cartier, Fabergé, Lalique, Boucheron, Tiffany & Wolfers, at V&A
Jun 9, 2008
The Victoria & Albert Museum, fondly called the V&A, is undergoing a major re-vamp. Galleries will be more accessible and will display the V&A's extensive collections in stunning settings whilst still maintaining the character of the original buildings.
The William and Judith Bollinger Jewellery Gallery
The V&A's newest gallery has undergone a four-year renovation programme made possible by a donation from Mr & Mrs William Bollinger. The exhibition opened on 24 May 2008 and a dazzling display features more than 3,000 stunning jewels from the V&A's comprehensive jewellery collection.
Mark Jones, Director of the V&A, said: "The power of jewels lies in their beauty and their ability to stir human emotions. The V&A has one of the finest collections of jewellery, and the imagination and passion of William and Judith Bollinger have allowed us to create a gallery worthy of this collection".
The Exhibition
The display provides a timeline of the history of European jewellery from the ancient past, through the middle ages to the modern era. Magnificent jewellery from the courts of Europe and Russia is shown together with some of the finest designs from well-known designers of the 20th century as well as items created by contemporary designers.
Medieval love rings, a Celtic breastplate, necklaces, diamond tiaras, pendants, brooches, dress ornaments, steel buckles and diamond bows plus jewellery made of paper, acrylic and titanium are all on display. More than 140 living jewellers are represented in the gallery alongside spectacular pieces created by Nitot & Fils, Tiffany, Cartier, Boucheron, Phillippe Wolfers, Lalique, Fabergé and Jacques-Ambroise Oliveras.
Highlights
The highlights of the exhibition include a brooch, comb and earrings of enamelled gold set with cornelian intaglios made for the Empress Josephine in approximately 1808, diamonds worn by Catherine the Great of Russia and jewels once owned by Queen Elizabeth I. Also on display is an emerald necklace and earrings believed to have been presented by Napoleon Bonaparte and his consort Josephine to their adopted daughter, Stephanie de Beauharnais, from whom the jewellery takes its name. The jewellery was probably made by Nitot & Fils, who were principal jewellers to Napoleon and Joséphine.
Modern pieces include Wendy Ramshaw's White Queen (1975). This item is created from gold with sapphires, pearl and enamel; acrylic stand with gold crown. Also on display is a brooch by Scottish designer Peter Chang.
A Breath-taking Display
This gallery, which examines how and why jewels have always been at the centre of fashion, is enhanced by three films showing how jewellery is designed and created.
Go to the V&A's website for information about the Gallery and all other events at the museum.
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