Jester brooch. 1995 Gold, enamel, diamonds. Work by Russian jeweler Vladimir Ufimtsev

Russian jeweler Vladimir Ufimtsev
Born in 1970 in Yekaterinburg, Vladimir Ufimtsev is a talented Russian jeweler. In 1989 he graduated from Yekaterinburg art school. He mastered the crafting in the jewelry studio of Vladislav Khramtsov. Since 1991 Vladimir has been a permanent participant of city, regional, zonal, national and international exhibitions, among which jewellery exhibition in Basel (Switzerland), San Francisco (the USA), Emirates. In 1992, he became a member of the Union of Artists of Russia. From 1993 to 1998 he worked at the Sverdlovsk jewelry factory. In 1998 he was awarded the gold medal of the Pushkin Fund and the first prize at the International Exhibition in St. Petersburg. The works of Russian jeweler Vladimir Ufimtsev are in private collections in Russia and abroad.
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Snail ring. Gold 750 (24 K), Diamonds. Work by Russian Jeweler Eduard Nikitin

Russian jeweler Eduard Nikitin

Born 2 March 1961, in Chelyabinsk, Nikitin creates jewellery inspired by the mystery of past civilizations and mythical animals. In 1981, he graduated from the Chelyabinsk Art School, Sculpture Department. A member of the Union of Artists of Russia (1989), he has participated in International, Republican, and All-Russian exhibitions of jewellery art since 1980.
Among his awards – Diplomas of Moscow international jewellery and watch exhibition “Jeweler-2002” and “Jeweler-2003”. Also, the jubilee commemorative badge of Carl Faberge Fund (2011), and Gold medal for 1st place in the competition “Jewelry Olympus” (2012), to name the few. His art works are in Museums of Fine Arts in Yekaterinburg, Chelyabinsk, Helsinki, Prague, Haifa, and in private collections in Russia and abroad.
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A fine silver parcel-gilt trompe l’oeil salt cellar designed as a cake (kulich) mounted in trompe l’oeil napkin and plate. Marked ‘VS’ (Viktor Savinkov), 1855-1888. Russian Trompe l’oeil silver jewellery

Russian Trompe l’oeil silver jewellery

Optical illusion technique known as Trompe l’oeil aimed the creation of realistic objects. Originally used in paintings and interior design, over time hyper realism has come to applied in decorative art. One of the peculiarities of Russian Trompe l’oeil jewellery was a perfect imitation of linen napkins and towels.
Talented silver tromp-l’oeil jewelers were suppliers to the Russian Imperial court. Stunning realistic silver pieces were multiple winners at international exhibitions, with many customers abroad. Beautiful artworks of Russian jewelers still appear at major auctions, sold for big money. Unique cigar boxes, imitating real wood boxes, with the texture of the tree, stickers and labels are in high demand among collectors.
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“Woman in Toropetsky pearl headdress and scarf”. Unknown artist. Russian pearl jewellery

Russian women pearl jewellery
In the seventeenth century, Russia has not yet mined gold or silver. But every Russian woman wore pearls: pearls on the dress, pearls on hats, on footwear, on handkerchiefs. Russia was a country of pearl. In the seventeenth century it was like a fishing – pearl could be found in 150 rivers. “There are provinces, such as Nizhny Novgorod, in which each woman had on her neck, on the headdress from 200 to 300 and sometimes up to thousands of real pearls.”
Sometimes, in the paintings of the classics of the 19th century, you can see the most common Russian women – peasant or boyaryshnya (wealthy woman), in a beautiful headdresses decorated with pearls, pearl necklaces, strings of pearls – large, white, very beautiful, the same as Russian North women were.
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Playing musical instruments medieval ladies – harp, lute and violin. MFA brooch. Musical instruments in jewellery. Galina Karputina collection

Musical instruments in jewellery

Traditionally, a part of world culture, Musical instruments often become the inspiration for jewellery designers. And it is difficult to find a musical instrument that had not been incarnated in jewelry – harp, lute, violin, Alto horn, piano, viola, guitar, mandolin, banjo, flute and many more.
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Fierce & Fabulous Crystal Critter Pin. Tanzanite, hematite, emerald, and crystal golden shadow crystals. Heidi Daus jewellery

Heidi Daus jewellery
American jewelry designer Heidi Daus grew up in a family where her grandmother, passionate collector and traveler, had a large collection of fine jewelry. She brought decorations after each trip – amazingly beautiful costume brooches. Glitter of crystals, sequins and stones, high artistic performance developed artistic sensibility, imagination and sense of beauty in the little girl. Heidi founded her company Heidi Daus Ltd. in 1984.
Style of her jewellery is very close to pre-war stone intensive vintage decorations, with superior Art Deco designs, meticulous detail, and the abundance of crystals and rhinestones. HD jewellery is worthy present day Hollywood stars and glamorous divas of the last century.
Inspired by nature – flowers, insects and animals, her jewellery combines baroque, art deco, and retro styles. All decorations are handmade, with a lifetime warranty.

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Rat (2020, January 25), element Metal. Rat brooch of white gold and diamonds, Verdura. Chinese zodiac in jewellery

Chinese zodiac in jewellery
According to the Chinese calendar, the beginning of the New Year falls on the first new moon after the winter solstice, which occurs in December or January. The New Year, starting from the winter solstice (December 21-22), the new moon, occurs respectively until January 21, and no later than February 20. 12-year cycle (“earthly branches” or “Chinese Zodiac”), taken perhaps from observing Jupiter’s orbit (the sidereal period of the planet is equal to 4332.589 Earth days, or 11.8618 year).
For some reason it is a 12-year period Chinese astrologers consider the greatest inspiration. Accordingly, Zodiac animals – Rat, Ox, Tiger, Rabbit, Dragon, Snake, Horse, Goat or Sheep, Monkey, Rooster, Dog, Boar or Pig appear in different art forms with the richness and authenticity of psychological content.
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