Morris’s special tiara is jewel in crown of museum’s pieces
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SO many objects in The Wilson have stories to tell, sparking our curiosity and making us want to find out more.
The Wilson has a small selection of jewellery on display from its collections, including this spectacular tiara.
It was commissioned by Cheltenham Art Gallery & Museum and financed by The Friends of the Art Gallery & Museum to celebrate the Queen’s Golden Jubilee in 2002.
The tiara is designed and made by Malcolm Morris, who trained at Birmingham School of Jewellery and went on to receive commissions to design pieces for fashion designers’ catwalks, including Willi Wear.
He designed and made the tiara worn by Gwyneth Paltrow in Shakespeare in Love, and the Duchess of Gloucester and Joan Collins are past clients.
Morris works in silver and gold and has been making jewellery for more than 40 years.
He is particularly interested in natural forms.
For this piece, he took his inspiration from the Arts & Crafts Movement collection at The Wilson and their interest in nature as a source of inspiration.
It is made from yellow and green sapphires, pale yellow and crystal beryl, diamonds and pearls set in 18 carat gold and is sparkling in the 19th Century Gallery at The Wilson for all to see.
Continuing with the jewellery theme, The Wilson is delighted to be hosting the amazing, playful and colourful work of Tatty Devine in the exhibition Misshapes: The Making of Tatty Devine.
It’s the first to celebrate their work and we are the first regional venue on a Uk-wide tour.
Tatty Devine’s statement jewellery tells stories and generates conversation.
This new Crafts Council exhibition considers the power of creativity and innovative British design and making, alongside the glamour and humour that Tatty Devine are known for.
Tatty Devine was founded in 1999 by Harriet Vine and Rosie Wolfenden after they graduated from Chelsea College of Art, which is where they met.
They soon started trading from a market stall in east London and developed a signature style that saw them lauded in Vogue and stocked in Harvey Nichols and Whistles within the year.
They discovered laser-cut acrylic on a trip to New York in 2001.
On their return, they invested in a laser-cutting machine, rarely used in jewellery at that time, which then gave them a creative freedom to push the boundaries, something they continue to do to this day.
The exhibition features more than 100 pieces from the Tatty Devine archive, from the early leather cuffs and piano belts to giant two-metre versions of their ‘greatest hits’, including a lobster and a huge parrot motif.
A selection of Tatty Devine jewellery and the book accompanying the exhibition are available to purchase in The Wilson shop on the ground floor of the gallery.
Tickets are available at the venue or can be purchased in advance on The Wilson website.
For more information, call 01242 387488 or email artgallery@ cheltenhamtrust.org.uk