Wed 15 Sept
|East Horsley Village Hall
Lost Splendours: Unfortunate Events and Extravagant Monarchs
This lecture goes into some of the truly dreadful losses and glorious survival of some of the most wonderful treasures in history. Join us to learn much more about what was lost and found
Time & location
15 Sept 2027, 10:30 – 11:30
East Horsley Village Hall, Kingston Ave, East Horsley, Leatherhead KT24 6QT
About the event
About the Lecture
Britain has a great history and reputation for creating some of the greatest gold work, jewels and silverware, particularly during the middle ages.
It was also famous throughout Europe for the quality of its craftsmen in illuminations, embroidery, textiles and stone carving. Unfortunately, through wars, political and religious upheaval and the passage of time, this vast and colourful treasure now seems lost to us.
In this talk Andrew brings to life the vanished buildings, fascinating events and forgotten people who commissioned and created some of this country's most beautiful objects, cathedrals, jewels and splendid palaces, and shows in detail what still survives today.
About the Lecturer
Andrew Prince has had a passion for jewellery since he was a small child. In fact his enthusiasm can be traced back to the time when, at the age of three, he swallowed one of his mother’s pearl earrings having found her jewel box hidden from him in a cupboard. The very first piece of jewellery he created was a ring made of copper wire pulled from the back of a television. Andrew's taste for fine 'costume jewellery' can be traced back to an antique market, where he came across a late Victorian brooch set with what he initially thought were emeralds and diamonds. They were, in fact, crystal and green glass set in silver and gold. Private commissions then started to trickle in. The trickle turned into a flood, as celebrities such as Michael Jackson (a large crystal and pearl shoulder jewel) and Shirley Bassey (necklaces) were seen wearing Andrew's creations. In 2002, the V&A commissioned a collection of jewels to accompany the resplendent Tiaras, Past and Present exhibition which became one of their most popular exhibits. The exposure gained by the show then led to Andrew's jewellery appearing in film. In 2005, he was asked to make tiaras and jewellery for Mrs Henderson Presents starring Judy Dench. In 2009, pieces were commissioned for The Young Victoria starring Emily Blunt and Miranda Richardson. In 2012, he was chosen by the creators of Downton Abbey to supply a large collection of jewellery for the third series. The characters played by Maggie Smith, Shirley Maclaine, Elizabeth McGovern and Michelle Dockery were all adorned with elegant tiaras, combs, earrings and necklaces designed and created by Andrew Prince.