Lecture Programme 2020

28 January

Thomas Holman

A Box Full of Buttons: The Life and Work of Frederick James Partridge (1877-1945)

Thomas was visiting The Wilson Museum and Art Gallery in Cheltenham when he spotted a beautiful carved horn haircomb decorated with moonstones and enamel in the Art Nouveau style. He immediately thought it was by a Parisian master, such as René Lalique or Lucien Gaillard. Thomas was therefore shocked to read the name on the label, ‘Frederick Partridge (1877-1945)’. His interest was piqued – who was Frederick Partridge and how did this boy from Barnstaple come to create such a piece? It is a story right at the heart of the Arts and Crafts movement, taking us from Chipping Campden in the Cotswolds to Branscombe in Devon and Ditchling in Sussex.

25 February
AGM followed by

Stephen Whittaker

Getting information off the Internet is like taking a drink from a fire hydrant - Michael Kappor

Stephen will talk about the influence of technology and the internet in a modern auction house and how it is transforming the reach of smaller auction houses to a worldwide audience…….. and all of the advantages and disadvantages that technology brings. His talk will include some updates on the current state of the jewellery market.

All lectures for the rest of the 2019/2020 season were postponed due to the corona virus lockdown.

24 March

Carol Michaelson

Postponed to 27 April 2021

Chinese jade jewellery and ornaments from the Neolithic to the Present

26 May

Ute Decker

postponed to 23 November 2021

Sculptural Minimalism & Fairtrade Gold — philosophy, provenance and process

22 September

Niamh Whitfield

online lecture only

The ‘Tara’ brooch: the making of an early medieval masterpiece from Ireland

Dating to around AD 700, the 'Tara' brooch is the creation of a virtuoso. Working on a minute scale, its maker prized intricate and precise design for its own sake, and used so many different techniques that it can be regarded as a masterpiece in the true sense of the word, demonstrating his range of skills. When it was displayed in London in 1863, one of the Castellani brothers remarked that it had been ‘worth the journey from Italy to see it’. This talk, based in part on unpublished research, will show why Castellani was so impressed.

The talk by Professor Gordon M. Walkden, originally scheduled for this date, on 'The rocks of Britain: our Victorian Jewellery' has been postponed. We will publish the new date as soon as possible.

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