Moira Jewels at the LAPADA Art and Antiques Fair

Good morning dearest!  We are back at the LAPADA fair in Berkeley Square from the other week, and today we are admiring the collection of Moira Jewels:

A few beauties from Moira’s collection: a pair of aquamarine and diamond earrings, and a black opal ring with diamonds

I have been told by quite a few people to look closer at the pieces that belong to Moira’s collection, as they are some of the finest antique and vintage jewels around.  Above is a pair of aquamarine and diamond earrings – pretty sure I can hear a few of you swoon!

A few dress rings (also called cocktail rings) from Moira.  I adore the opal at the front here with its soft colours

I obviously have the privilege of looking at Moira’s pieces to my heart’s content, as they have their collection on display at Richard Ogden in the Burlington Arcade!  Their pieces span across the 20th century and you will find signed originals from the finest design houses, covering the art deco period – and continuing on to 1940s gold work and the modernist creations of the 1950s to the 1980s.

Vintage diamond watches from Moira Jewels

… and if you are anything like me, then these Art Deco diamond watches will make your heart beat just a little bit faster!  Oh can you imagine wearing one of these to that birthday party, or to those drinks at the weekend?  As soon as I wear a special piece of jewellery, I get so much more inspired to get dressed up and match it with a lovely dress.  I do think that we have moved away a little bit too much from the times when we would often wear our finest, so let’s just bring that back, shall we?  I am doing a proper summer to winter-wardrobe revamp this week and I will make sure to keep some glorious dresses out to stay inspired to wear them!

 Diamond tiaras from Moira Jewels

And these diamond tiaras were just too pretty you guys!!  Here in the UK (since I know that you lovely readers are based around the world) it is quite common for the bride to wear a tiara, and so it is just wonderful when these lovely ladies come into the shop and try on our collection of vintage and antique tiaras!  I would love to hear whether you would choose to wear a tiara or a veil or flowers or just a gorgeous hairdo at your wedding?

I will write a longer post on Moira Jewels soon and bring you some more photos of these heavenly pieces, and now I would like to wish you a lovely rest of the day!

 

A 1920’s Garrard’s aquamarine ring

I went to the most beautiful wedding last summer, where the mother of the bride was wearing this extraordinary vintage aquamarine ring.  The ring came out so beautifully in the wedding photos (taken by the amazing Honeybunn Photography) that it deserved its own blog post:

The beautiful bride getting dressed – and I know that so many of you will fall in love with the dress as well as the ring… Copyright: Honeybunn Photography

Before I start with the ring, can I just take a second to adore the wedding dress?  The deep cut back and the lace sleeves are so incredibly elegant and suit the bride perfectly.  The colour of the bridesmaids’ dresses was a soft turquoise, which you can see in the bottom right corner of the picture, and it was reflected so beautifully in the mother of the bride’s aquamarine ring:

A very special moment where the mother of the bride helps her daughter with the veil – Copyright: Honeybunn Photography

This is a family ring made bespoke for the bride’s Great Grandmother in the 1920’s, by the family jeweller Garrard.  The centre stone is a 30 carat aquamarine, and it is flanked by eight diamonds in a platinum setting.  I thought that this was a wonderful excuse to look further into the history of the famous jeweller Garrard:

You can visit Garrard’s on 24 Albemarle Street in London

George Wickes (1698–1761) was a goldsmith who entered his mark in Goldsmiths’ Hall in 1722; this was a practice followed by all goldsmiths, with their personal marks identifying their work.  Wickes was a very skilled goldsmith who provided jewellery and other luxury items to aristocratic patrons, and after starting his own company he soon became appointed as goldsmith of Frederick, Prince of Wales.  Wickes retired in 1760 and the company changed hands a few times before Robert Garrard became a partner in 1792.  The name Garrard was cemented in 1802 and the company would remain in the hands of the Garrard family until 1946, when Sebastian Henry Garrard, the great-grandson of Robert Garrard senior passed away.  

A close up of this extraordinary ring…

In 1843 Queen Victoria appointed Garrard to the position of Crown Jewellers, and in the photo above you can see the text “By appointment to H.M. the Queen…” written inside the ring’s original box.  As Crown Jewellers Garrard were responsible for the production of many pieces of silverware and jewellery for the Royal Family, as well as the upkeep of the Crown Jewels – which we will look closer at in a future post.  During the 19th century they designed numerous pieces for the Royal House and the aristocracy, and today many commissions can be found in museums, national institutions and private collections around the world. (1)

And this is what a 30 carat aquamarine looks like when worn…

As we can tell from the history of this jewellery designer these pieces are unique and very special, so I would like to thank our lovely bride and her mother for letting us admire this spectacular piece of history!

(1) Heritage History of Garrard

An equestrian art exhibition out of this world

Nichola Eddery’s art exhibition at the Osborne Studio Gallery

This week I attended the private opening of Nichola Eddery’s art exhibition at the Osborne Studio Gallery.  Nichola comes from a family of equine enthusiasts, which combined with her wonderful artistic training has result in the most exquisite equestrian art, that we are now so fortunate to be taking part of:

 

Stallion Movement Study II – Charcoal and chalk on green paper, 20 x 26 in

The drawings and paintings of the horses are just magnificent, as she always seems to catch them mid-movement.  Not a breeze through the mane or a stirring of a muscle has been left unattended by the brush, and I always expect the horses to take a step out of the painting any moment and walk away.  

Rearing Study – Charcoal and Chalk on Green Paper

 

In an ideal world (for me) I would have bought every piece, and as it turns out a large part of the exhibition sold out on the first day

Poster Study, Jockey in Blue, Pink, Silks, Green… – Oil Canvas on Board

Stunning portraits, one of Nichola’s specialties 

 

 I always marvel at Nichola’s portrait work, as she is able to bring out such incredible depth and beauty in her subjects.  Going to the races never seemed more romantic…

Ladies Day – Sepia, sanguine and chalk on cream paper, 16 x 20 ins. 

Nichola’s sister in the portrait above is wearing a pair of her grandmother’s earrings; square shaped with a centre pearl surrounded by glittering diamonds.  To the opening of the exhibition this week she wore her grandmother’s pearl brooch and a stunning aquamarine ring:

Antique pearl brooch – the ideal accessory for perfecting that white shirt-look

 Antique aquamarine ring – it is all about the cocktail rings ladies!

Now let’s take a little wander into the gallery garden:

I love the beautiful garden at the Osborne Studio Gallery with its wonderful sculptures and setting…

 

Osborne Studio Gallery garden sculpture

Another beautiful garden sculpture at the Osborne Studio Gallery

And finally, the artist herself, Nichola Eddery, by the painting Running like the Wind – Oil on canvas, 40 x 30 ins.

Delighted to let you know that the show will be running until 5th July, so do pop by there and and see these stunning creations for yourself.  You can read more about Nichola’s background and training on her own website.