Jean Painleve was a famous French underwater photographer who lived from 1902-1989. He led amazing life – being interested and involved in so many things. During the Deco period he started making jewellery from brass and galalith. The first pieces involved seahorses and he progressed to salamanders etc. These were sold in Parisian boutiques. These interesting items of vintage costume jewellery have become very collectible and hard to find. Sometimes they are marked JHP. There is plenty of additional information on Google.
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ANOTHER MAGAZINE WINTER 2023
In this edition Photographer Anton Gottlob and stylist Chloe Grace Press review the latest collection from Christina Louboutin. One photo features a single earring
TATLER MAGAZINE – APRIL 23 – AMITA SUMAN
This picture is from the April 2023 Tatler in an article entitled ‘Living the Dream’. It shows Amita arriving at The Savoy Hotel. She is wearing a favourite pair of my gold tone clip earrings. Stylist Hannah Teare Photographer Alex Bramall
COROCRAFT AND JEWELCRAFT
Corocraft and Jewelcraft were the names used by the famous American jewellery company Coro for jewellery produced in the U.K from their factory in Sussex. They had got into a legal dispute with the British firm Ciro about the closeness of the names. They therefore added ‘craft’ to the names used. Their most productive period was around the middle of the 20th century. In the 1960s Corocraft was sold but did not survive. In 1970 Jewelcraft ceased trading. Thanks to Vintage Jewels Geek Blog for this information. The full article can be found on Google.
WEST PRODUCTS/LEGACY
Recently a huge warehouse of unused stock was discovered – that had been locked away since just before the year 2000. This was old, unused stock manufactured by West Products – based just outside London. They were the biggest supplier to the U.K. market – according to The Jeweller magazine. They made for shops such as Liberty, Harrods, John Lewis etc. They also made under the name ‘Legacy’ their own brand – which were not marked. Few pieces did have a mark – just a hang tag or similar. The entire contents have recently been bought and are gradually being sold. I have been able to buy some of this stock. Information from Accessories of Old and The Jewellery Magazine.
CZECH. VINTAGE FILIGREE BROOCHES
When I started to take an interest in vintage jewellery – over 50 years ago – there were very few books on the topic available. When Sibylle Jargstorf’s book ‘Baubles, Buttons and Beads – The Heritage of Bohemia’ was published (Schiffer 1993) I immediately bought a copy. So much information – not only about the metalwork but also about the different sorts of glass stones used – such as saphiret, iris, satin, opalescent and foiled glass. Today I am playing with a box of Czech. brooches – particularly the filigree ones. There is no more room in my shop at Alfies Antiques – so they will have to wait for a space! These filigree brooches were made by craftsmen in Gablonz. These are 20th Century but the tradition goes back much further. The picture shows such a variety of shapes and colours. Of course there were necklaces, buckles, earrings, clips etc. The metals were either gilded or silvered. If any of these beautiful brooches is of interest do email me.
WHITING & DAVIS
Most of the information below is from the official Whiting & Davis Collection.com – but there is a lot more information on the web if you need it. The company was founded in Massachusetts in 1876. In 1892 the first mesh bag was designed and all the components were formed and joined by hand. In 1912 the process was automated. It became Whiting & Davis in 1896. The early bags were beautiful creations – coloured patterns and hangings at the bottom. However these are really collectors items and I usually stock the type of bag that can be worn. After WW11 the company concentrated on items made in a very flexible mesh. This could be in the usual gold tone colour – or more unusually in a silver colour. They also made smaller items such as purses and jewellery. The company is still operating and has kept up with the times. I particularly love the kerchief necklaces and the snake bangles. There is mention on the internet of items with a Made in China label but no real information on whether these items are genuine. The items are always very high quality. Sometimes there is a mark inside the bag. Sometime on a zipper tag. The lining will be good quality too. There will always be copies of high quality items so look very carefully. Good hunting!
CELLULOID HAT FLASHES/CLOCHE PINS
Celluloid was invented in the 1860s – primarily to replace ivory. It was used extensively for jewellery in the Art Deco period. It was particularly suitable for making these smaller Art Deco hat pins. The majority were black and diamante but other colours were used. In present time people wear them anywhere – particularly in hats and berets of course, but they also look good on a jacket lapel etc. I always sell them with a hat pin end to prevent loss. They look great with a Deco outfit and are a low budget item that will really make a statement.
TATLER MAGAZINE – NOVEMBER 21 – ELLIE GOULDING
This cover shot features Ellie Goulding – one of Britain’s most successful solo artist – outside her home in Gloucestershire. It features a pair of my vintage diamante white and black clip earrings. Photographed by Oli Kearon and styled by Sophie Pera.
TATLER MAGAZINE – JUNE 2020 – JENA GOLDSACK
This picture is from a photoshoot in Tatler Magazine in June 2020 entitled ‘A Very English Scandal’. Jena Goldsack is photographed wearing a pair of my pearl earrings. The photographer is Luc Bracquet and the Stylist Sophie Pera.
