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V&A visit Posted by 992234177 on May 21, 2019, 10:33 am I have just come back from seeing an exhibition at the V&A and while I was there I popped into the jewellery gallery. I didn’t see everything as the exhibition took almost two hours and I was exhausted. There was so much jewellery it was almost boring, I didn't see whatever was upstairs but here is some of what I did. V&A

Re: V&A visit Posted by JohnAF on May 21, 2019, 6:04 pm, in reply to "V&A visit " I also went to the V&A a couple of weeks ago to see the jewellery gallery. It was rather crowded as it's quite long and narrow. Too much, I think, to see on one visit so I will need to go back. Two things struck me: 1. Queen Victoria's sapphire coronet, very small and delicate. I always had the impression that it was a much more robust piece. 2. It seems, from the necklaces on show, that ladies back then had much smaller necks as the diameters appear really small. http://ibb.co/album/dxjxwF

Re: V&A visit Posted by kat max on May 21, 2019, 8:30 pm, in reply to "Re: V&A visit " I went to the V&A in January and was able to find the jewellery gallery for the first time (on the other side of the minatures)....and of course it was closed for renovations. I may never get to to see it.

Re: V&A visit Posted by 992234177 on May 22, 2019, 4:43 am, in reply to "Re: V&A visit " I was surprised how large the collection was, it was too big too appreciate, I was surprised how huge the Londonderry, Manchester and Dufferin tiaras were they were magnificent and so shiny.

Re: V&A visit Posted by Dave on May 22, 2019, 7:05 am, in reply to "Re: V&A visit " Are these jewels loans to the V&A or are they owned by the museum? The Londonderry collection is a renowned one of which I read of on several occasions, is it still the property of the family? Regards, Dave. Previous Message I was surprised how large the collection was, it was too big too appreciate, I was surprised how huge the Londonderry, Manchester and Dufferin tiaras were they were magnificent and so shiny.

Re: V&A visit Posted by 992234177 on May 22, 2019, 7:30 am, in reply to "Re: V&A visit " Tiara, rivière, amethyst tiara and brooch, bow brooch, Stomacher, pink topaz brooch turquoise necklace and yellow diamond brooch and n a Greek key border all belong to Lord L. The earrings were anonymous loan. It also mentions some pearls and emeralds as being in the upper section that I didn’t see.

Re: V&A visit Posted by Beth on May 23, 2019, 7:08 am, in reply to "Re: V&A visit " Thank you so much for treating us to your photos 992234177!! At times I felt as if I was in the room experiencing the atmosphere. And what a delight the jewels are! Like Kat Max I doubt if I will get to see the new display so I really appreciate your generosity in giving us access to your photos. My initial reaction to the new display was fairly negative, as it reminded me of old fashioned, boring cabinets laden with every object possessed by a museum. On the other hand when people have travelled long distances to visit a museum for a specific purpose to find that half or three quarters of the collection is not on display is a major disappointment.

Re: V&A visit Posted by Beth on May 23, 2019, 7:18 am, in reply to "Re: V&A visit " I am intrigued by JohnAF's comment about the diameter of necklaces. I think it would make a very interesting thread at some time. One thing which has always struck me when visiting clothing exhibitions is that, by and large, most females were smaller in the nineteenth century than modern day women. One obvious example of changing neck size is highlighted by Queen Alexandra's pearl and diamond wedding gift necklace. QEQM had it lengthened. Then, of course, there is the issue of how ladies wanted to wear a necklace: as a choker or draping around the upper chest area as a foil for diamond or pearl dog collars.

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