Brooch, 1903, Gilded silver, gold, enamel and turquoises. Charles Ashbee modern era jewellery

Charles Ashbee modern era jewellery

In the modern era to the forefront in jewelry came not a master craftsman, making similar to each other “commercial jewels”, but a jeweler creating a customized and truly artistic embellishments, which featured a new imagery that reflected the spirit of time. Thanks to the talent of authors, such jewelry art, along with the architecture and art glass, came to the forefront of the development of art in many ways defining features of the new decorative style. The principles of modernity determined work of Charles Robert Ashbee (1863-1942).
Born in Isleworth, on 17 May 1863, Ashbee was a man of immense talents and energy and a defining figure in the Arts and Crafts Movement. In 1888 he founded the Guild and School of Crafts in London’s East End. Seven years later, the school was closed, but the Guild, continued to exist for many years as an important center for the ideals of the Arts and Crafts period, producing furniture, metalwork, jewelry, enamels and printing on fabrics.
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Mikimoto pearl jewellery

Japan means pearl. Pearl means Mikimoto. Yes, this is the first phrase that comes to mind at the mention of Mikimoto. The slogan belongs to the Tokyo store: a poster once adorned its storefront. Mikimoto is the pearl legend, Pearly King of Japan. Mikimoto pearl jewellery history began in 1893 when Mikimoto Kokichi became the first to artificially cultivate the most mysterious treasure of the sea – pearls. However, at the time Pearl had so far only a hemispherical shape. Six years later Mikimoto opened his first pearl boutique in the prestigious district of Tokyo – Ginza. In 1905, Kokichi managed to create a perfect round pearl, and inspired by the success, the future Pearly King said: “I would like to decorate with pearls necks of all the women of the world” – well, looking ahead, we can safely say that he did it.
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Chrysanthemums Brooch. Exquisite Vintage costume jewelry

Exquisite Vintage costume jewelry (1914 – 1970)
The history of British jewellery company “Exquisite” began in 1914 in the city of Solihull. Founded by engraver Augustus Harry Power (1878 -1952) and Clarence Oswald Flint (1880 – 1946), the two men bought the business from a jeweler Walter Archibald Parker Watson (1880 – 1952).
Exquisite jewelry became especially popular after the Second World War. High quality floral design hand-painted pieces show original high-style standard level. The craftsmen used of gold or silver plate and bright enamel.

Noteworthy, the company owned several trademarks, including Mirella, and Myths and Magic. In addition to jewelry, they produced sterling silver souvenirs and charms for tourist visiting the UK. Wearable art, Exquisite jewellery is rare and highly collectible today.
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Inspired by sea Seaman Schepps

Sea air, warm sand, sunshine playing on the surface of the water – this is inspired by sea Seaman Schepps jewelry made of shells. Even in the name of the designer Seaman – “man of the sea” is heard surf and predestination of fate. But he was not the sea wolf, he was a lover of the gifts of the ocean. Manager of antique jewelry shop Mr. Schepps once had a chance to see what Fulco di Verdura, Duke and Marquis, was doing out of the ordinary shells, Seaman Schepps was impressed. Admiration turned into decoration, quite reminiscent of jewels by his idol – aristocrat from the coast of Sicily. However, Schepps brought his own vision in jewelry design.
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Playing cats brooch by French jeweler Marcel Boucher. Gold tone, pearls. Late 1950s

French jeweler Marcel Boucher
Born in Paris, Marcel Boucher (1898–1965) was one of the most talented designers and manufacturers of the jewelry of the last century. He produced unique, the highest quality of workmanship jewelry, superior to all known brands.
Traditionally, Boucher jewellery reflects the classical and new creative trends. Made until 1971, all the jewelry was top-class performance, and it has become the hallmark of Boucher. Talent of Boucher, prized by collectors and fans of vintage accessories, distinguishes his jewelry pieces from others.
The marking included a patent number, MB (1937 – 1949), or Marboux (1938-1960s), “Boucher” (1950-1955), and Boucher © (after 1955).
Noteworthy, Marcel Boucher was one of the first to apply the so-called three-dimensional design of jewelry. In addition, he actively used the colorful enamel products.
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Golden apple brooch. Sarah Coventry costume jewelry (1949-1984)

Sarah Coventry costume jewelry
The history of Newark New York state based jewelry company Sarah Coventry Inc. began in 1949. The company’s founder, Lyman K. Stuart named it in honor of his granddaughter Sarah. Noteworthy, the company became the oldest direct selling jewelry company in the world.
In addition to Sarah Coventry, Lyman K. Stuart owned no less famous jewelry company “Emmons”. Stuart named it in honor of his wife Caroline Emmons. Both companies created costume jewelry collaborating with other companies.

Alongside with costume jewelry for women, Sarah Coventry made jewelry for men: tie pins and cufflinks. High quality handcrafted in 1960 -1970s Coventry jewelry prices were comparable to Trifari and Coro. Unfortunately, in 1981, Stuart filed for bankruptcy, and in the mid-1980s, a Canadian company bought Coventry.
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Galina Karputina collection. Brooch gentle bouquet of natural jade and coral. Swoboda vintage jewellery

Swoboda vintage jewellery
Edward Swoboda (1917–2013) created his company in 1956 in Los Angeles and called it by his name. He sold his jewelry at Saks Fifth Avenue, Harrods of London, Neiman Marcus, and featured in showrooms in Los Angeles, New York, and Dallas. Once, Nancy Reagan commissioned Edward Swoboda to make his fabulous gemstone trees as gifts to governors. Besides, he was a favorite jewelry designer of many Hollywood stars.
Meanwhile, Edward and his wife often traveled to South America. From there he organized a continuous supply of semi-precious stones for his jewelry lines. Edward was a talented designer, and his education gave him the opportunity to understand perfectly the stones, that’s why the company was gaining momentum. In his collections Swoboda used freshwater pearls, gold leaf, a variety of semi-precious stones and unique design. This has always distinguished decorations by Swoboda, despite the fact that jewelry was not marked on the metal stigma until 1966. The product generally contained the company’s name on the cardboard tag of jewelry.
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