TEFAF 2017: Jewellery You Should Look Forward to Seeing

TEFAF, one of the world’s largest fairs of art, antiques and design takes place every year in Maastricht. Between 10-19 March, it will be bringing together the best art critics and collectors from around the globe to see and purchase works of fine art sourced from over 60 countries. Medieval manuscripts, maps, coins, silverware, porcelain, furniture and articles of fine jewellery are all to be presented at the salons. My interest lies solely with jewellery, so here you’ll get a glimpse of what jewelled masterpieces you can expect to find at TEFAF.

Hemmerle

Nature, antiquity, ancient civilization, historical and cultural events from around the world – these are the primary sources of inspiration for the German jeweller Hemmerle. At this year’s TEFAF they will be presenting a unique aluminium cuff-bracelet with sapphires and aquamarines. It is made in the ancient Egyptian style inspired by the Temple of Karnak, which is dedicated to ancient gods Amun, Mut and Khonsu. The bracelet is paired with rectangular earrings adorned with micromosaic portraits of the Sultan of Egypt – but one example of how the Hemmerle family combines artefacts of the past and contemporary style in its design. In addition to jewellery, visitors of the exhibition will see a unique sculpture created by Dutch architect Tom Post in collaboration with Hemmerle.

Wallace Chan

Last year, the first Asian jeweller to present at the 2016 TEFAF exhibition brought a collection that turned out to be one of the most spectacular. Chan doesn’t disappoint this year either, as in addition to the giant titanium sculpture shaped as a flower he is bringing some 40 pieces of jewellery. Among them are several new items: the Ruby castle ring with 17.58-carat Burmese ruby faceted into a hexagon, the Birth and Blossom earrings with emeralds and hollowed pearls with diamonds and pink sapphires inside, and also a cuff bracelet titled A Lyrical Moment, which embodies the childhood dreams of Wallace Chan.

Otto Jakob

The precious pieces created by German jeweller Otto Jakob cannot be attributed to any particular style or period, because they contain elements of the medieval, modern and fantastical. Thanks to the high level of craftsmanship, master jeweller has been appreciated by distinguished artists, art dealers and jewellery collectors. He will be bringing a selection of existing jewellery to TEFAF as well as several new pieces, including the Nef necklace and Noci earrings. The necklace is of blackened gold decorated with two pendants in the form of macaws painted with coloured enamel, and the gold earrings are in the form of branches from a walnut tree. The name Noci is an Italian word which translates as “nuts” and a Russian one that translates as “night” – the earrings are designed for special occasions.

Verdura and Belperron

This year, Verdura and Belperron are participating in the Dutch exhibition for the second time and will be showing 30s-40s vintage jewellery alongside a few contemporary works. You will also find the latest collection by Verdura, ‘Out of This World’, inspired by a collaboration between Fulco di Verdura and Salvador Dali in 1941. The bracelet in this collection, the Verdura Dogwood Cuff, is made of yellow gold with black jade, moonstones and sapphires and can be seen below. The most interesting pieces of Belperron jewellery will be those devoted to the first anniversary collection. They are made based on earlier works by the French designer, when in the 1930s she became the artistic and technical director of the Hertz company.

Hancocks

The collection of antique jewellery by Hancocks is full of items that once belonged to eminent and often public personalities. Some of the pieces can been seen at the brand’s exhibition salon. Of the pieces there, I’d single out a playful bracelet formerly owned by American actress Shirley Temple. It is made from baguette-cut diamonds and cabochon rubies in the form of an orchestra by the Hollywood jeweller William Ruser. Hancocks will also feature contemporary works by designer Amy Burton, who has her own line of jewellery called Amy Burton Fine Jewellery.

S. J. Phillips

S. J. Phillips return to the TEFAF exhibition to present rare vintage jewellery to new clients and report their new address in London – 26 Burton Street. Inside, the antique dealer has always had an abundance of spectacular jewels, and visitors of the forthcoming TEFAF exhibition will also have the opportunity to see and buy jewellery of special importance. Among these are an incredible Cartier necklace with Burmese rubies and diamonds, created in the 30s in New York – worth more than 4 million pounds. Yet another spectacular piece: a bracelet in a tutti-frutti style, made by the American jeweller Raymond Yard in about 1927. But my personal favourite piece is the Butterfly brooch by Boucheron decorated with vitreous enamel and diamonds, created in the beginning of the 20th century.