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Gems Galore at
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Historical highlights are jeweled pendants that Queen Elizabeth I gave to her courtiers, and diamonds that were once worn by Catherine the Great of Russia. Napoleon Bonaparte's gift to his adopted daughter, the Beauharnais Emeralds, and Empress Josephine's tiara. |
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3,500 jewels from the V&A’s jewelry collection are found in this new gallery focused on European jewelry from the past 800 years. |
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Beauharnais Emeralds
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Hortense Eugénie Cécile Beauharnais was the daughter of Josephine Tascher de la Pagerie and Alexandre, the Vicomte de Beauharnais. The Vicomte was executed during France's reign of terror. Josephine married Napoleon Bonaparte who would gift his step-daughter Hortense an emerald suite that became known as the Beauharnais collection. |
It was fit for a Queen as Hortense became Queen Consort of Holland as the wife of Louis Bonaparte, King of Holland. She was the mother off Napoleon III, Emperor of France.
Queen Elizabeth I's Gift: Armada Jewel
Title: The Heneage or Armada Jewel (front)
Artist: Nicholas Hilliard (English 1547-1619)
English, about 1595
© Victoria and Albert Museum
Image Courtesy: Victoria and Albert Museum, London
It is believed that Sir Thomas Heneage received the Armada Jewel from Queen Elizabeth I in 1600. The portrait minature is also called the Heneage Jewel. Nicholas Hilliard, according to an inscription on the back of the piece, painted the minature in 1580. It is possible the inscription was a later addition to the piece.
Title: The Heneage or Armada Jewel (back)
English, about 1595
© Victoria and Albert Museum
Image Courtesy: Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Heneage was the Queen's Treasurer of War and it is believed this piece was a reward for his service. It has images of the Queen, the Ark and a Red Tudor Rose. It has two inscriptions "Calm amidst the raging seas" and "Alas, that virtue inviolate, with so great honour decked, hath not eternal length of day".
Manchester Tiara
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Taxes brought this tiara into the public collection. This tiara by the jewellers Cartier, with nearly 100 carats of diamonds, is an extremely rare and historic piece of jewellery. Consuelo, Duchess of Manchester commissioned it in 1903. |
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The Manchester Tiara was accepted in lieu of inheritance tax by the Government of England and the piece was donated to the V&A.
Shannogrove Gorget
Title: Shannongrove Gorget
Irish, about 700 B.C.
© Victoria and Albert Museum
Image Courtesy: Victoria and Albert Museum, London
Many of the pieces have historical importance not only because of their owners but of their rarity such as the Shannongrove Gorget, which dated from 700 B.C.
The gorget was worked in gold and is attached to two circular discs at either end. There are only eight known gorgets or collars that date from this era that still exist today. It was found in Limerick, Ireland.
Title: Bow ornament
Russian, about 1760
© Victoria and Albert Museum
Image Courtesy: Victoria and Albert Museum, London
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 jewelry, and the imagination and passion of William and Judith Bollinger have allowed us to create a gallery worthy of this collection".
Title: Diadem with five cameos
French, about 1808
© Victoria and Albert Museum
Image Courtesy: Victoria and Albert Museum, London
The donors, William and Judith Bollinger said: "It has been an enormous pleasure working with the V&A's talented staff and consultants to create a truly unique gallery. We hope it provides inspiration to all who visit whether craftsmen, aspiring artists or simply lovers of beauty."
Title: Spray of laurel
French, about 1805
© Victoria and Albert Museum
Image Courtesy: Victoria and Albert Museum, London
William and Judith Bollinger Jewellery Gallery
Victoria & Albert Museum:
opens May 24, 2008