Ok, ok, so the bling wasn’t in the stocking, but there’s no harm in dreaming and in London, seeing some wonderful jewellery this year.
The Crown Jewels safely locked up in the Tower of London, have only ever had one really serious attempt made to steal them. They are of course, the second set, made after the infamous Bad King John lost the first lot whilst crossing The Wash. Available for viewing but no purchase allowed, every day of the year. Write in for your invitation to the Ceremony of the Keys when at 9.30pm the Tower is secured for the night – be warned, you can’t take notes, will be under escort!
The Victoria & Albert museum houses over 3,000 jewels telling the story of jewellery in Europe from ancient times to the present day in the William and Judith Bollinger Jewellery Gallery. There are some very good copies to be found in the V&A shop so at least you can leave here with something that glitters.
For really up to the minute design visit Unexpected Pleasures: The Art and Design of Contemporary Jewellery at the Design Museum which brings together almost 200 objects celebrating the work of contemporary jewellers who have challenged the conventions of jewellery design. Open now until 3rd March 2013.
So now you know what you like, it’s time to see what the wallet can afford. Visit the annual Goldsmiths Fair in the autumn; the ultimate one-stop destination for those seeking out jewellery and silver by the most exciting independent designer-makers in the UK. The Fair is considered to be the most important, prestigious event of its kind in Europe. Goldsmiths’ Fair is all about the bespoke, the original and the one-off. Each piece is hand-made by dedicated craftsmen in small workshops around the country and collectively the Fair represents months of intense skill and artistry.
Finally, back in time to jewellery once jealously hoarded and later discovered in 1912, buried in a cellar on Cheapside in the City of London.This extraordinary and priceless cache of late 16th and early 17th century jewels and gemstones will be displayed in its entirety, over 500 pieces, for the first time in over a century. The Cheapside Hoard: London’s Lost Jewels opens in October 2013 at the Museum of London.
And all of this just in time to start dropping hints for Santa Stocking Contents 2013 – there’s only 355 days to go after all!
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