ASJH CALENDAR

UPCOMING EVENTS

"Hip-Hop and Bling Jewels"

September 30, 2010

Just how did "bling" become a mainstream concept for jewelry? This lecture by Lyneise Williams will offer a fascinating look at the jewels that rappers wear and its surprising influence on jewelry design, sales, and the sociological implications. 

 

"The Art of the Living Jewel"

October 7, 2010

This lecture by Ruth Peltason will discuss jewels of an organic nature: tortoise, coral, ivory, and the like.  It will complement her newly published work on the subject "Living Jewels", and the author will sign copies of her book.

 

"The Gold Weaver"

Film and commentary by Lucie Heskett-Brem

November 11, 2010

This documentary film showcases goldsmith Lucie Heskett-Brem's artistry in working gold as if it were thread, detailing both the thought process behind the design as well as the workmanship required to produce jewels of this nature.  The film will be followed by a question-and-answer by the artist.

 

"Paul Flato: Jeweler to the Stars"

December 16, 2010

Elizabeth Irvine Bray will discuss the life and times of Paul Flato, a colorful and mysterious individual who jeweled the Hollywood stars for many years.  She will be available to sign copies of her book after the lecture.   

 

PAST EVENTS

 

"Cartier and America" 

January 13, 2010, San Francisco, CA

ASJH members were treated to an exclusive tour of "Cartier in America" at the Legion of Honor Museum. The tour was led by Martin Chapman, Curator of European Decorative Arts and Sculpture.

 

"Colored Stones and Pearls in Period Jewelry: A Historical Overview"  March 11, 2010

Colored stones and pearls have been indispensable additions to the tapestry of jewelry design and creation, additionally providing insight into circa dating and establishment of value. AGTA CEO Douglas Hucker led us on a journey through the centuries of sparkling gemstone usage in jewels. Location: Fashion Institute of Technology, New York.

 

“Fit for a Pharoah”  April 22, 2010

Ancient Egyptian symbols and motifs have been a source for artistic inspiration over thousands of years. Carol Elkins discussed this phenomenon as it pertains to jewelry design, beginning with examples from the tomb of King Tut. The survey included a wide variety of imaginative and colorful masterpieces from subsequent time periods to demonstrate the persistence of “Egyptomania” and how it has influenced some of the most prestigious jewelry makers such as Castellani, Giuliano, Wiese, Tiffany, Lalique, Boucheron, Boivin, Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, and a countless list of others. Location: Sotheby's, New York.

Please note that the exhibition “Tutankhamen and the Golden Age of the Pharoahs” including treasures from the tomb of King Tut, opens on April 23, 2010 at the new exhibition facility near Broadway called DTSX (Discovery Times Square Exposition).located at 226 West 44th Street (between 7th and 8th Avenues). For More information, see www.kingtutnyc.com.

 

"The Patricia Goldstein Collection at the Victoria & Albert Museum" May 13, 2010

Clive Kandel provided an insider's perspective on the Patricia V. Goldstein collection, which was bequeathed to the Victoria & Albert Museum in London 2002. Goldstein was a renowned New York collector and dealer, and her gift was a significant addition of 20th Century jewels to the V&A’s Jewelry collection. Clive Kandel knew Pat Goldstein very well. His talk provided the first opportunity to hear the fascinating story of a lifetime of collecting jewels spanning Antiquity to Verdura -- and how this important collection came to be saved by the Museum. His lecture was augmented by images of this important collection.  Location: Fashion Institute of Technology, New York.

 

"Engraved Gems and Jewelry from Ancient Greece" June 17, 2010

This lecture by Max Bernheimer explored a history of ancient art in miniature from the 7th to the 1st centuries BC, emphasizing engraved gems and jewelry. Location: Fashion Institute of Technology, New York.

 

"All That Glitters"   Exclusive ASJH Tour, August 7, 2010

The West Coast Chapter of the ASJH offered an exclusive tour of the recently opened 'All That Glitters' exhibit at the San Diego Natural History Museum in Balboa Park, San Diego. This tour was led by the exhibit curator, and ASJH member, Elise B. Misiorowski.

2009

"How Green Is Green?"
February 26, 2009,  Fashion Institute of Technology, New York

Renowned author, gem dealer, and collector Benjamin Zucker discussed the fascinating interplay between gems and literature, and how stone lore is merged into fiction and non-fiction from years past to the present day.

"Will the Real Fabergé Please Stand Up?"
March 19, 2009, Fashion Institute of Technology, New York

Peter Schaffer, co-owner of A La Vieille Russie in New York City, spoke about famed Russian jeweler Carl Fabergé, and pointed out the differences between the real Fabergé pieces and the many fakes that abound in the market today.

Special ASJH Member Event!
Private Group Tour of the Van Cleef & Arpels Workshop in New York  

Nicolas Luchsinger of Van Cleef & Arpels New York arranged a private tour of the VCA workshop followed by a reception at the VCA boutique which included a question and answer session.
This special event was offered on the following dates: April 14th, April 24th, April 27th, May 4th, 2009

 

"Carvers and Collectors: The Lasting Allure of Ancient Gems"

June 24, 2009, The Getty Villa in Malibu, CA

ASJH members were treated to a special tour of this exhibit at The Getty Villa in Malibu, CA. This exclusive tour was led by Kenneth Lapatin, associate curator of Antiquities.

 

Afghanistan: Hidden Treasures from the National Museum, Kabul
September 11, 2009,   Metropolitan Museum of Art, NY

Thirty members of ASJH met for a private evening tour of the archaeological treasures curated in this superb exhibition, which originated in Paris and has traveled extensively. Our guide, Karen Rubinson, provided wonderful insight on the mix of styles and cultures that characterized the Silk Road, here focused on objects from Egypt to near the border of China, across Afghanistan. The gold treasures from the Tillya Tepe tombs were a highlight of the tour.

 

The Getty Villa in Malibu, CA

September 30, 2009,

ASJH members were treated to a special tour of this exhibit at The Getty Villa in Malibu, CA. This exclusive tour was led by David Saunders, associate curator of Antiquities.

 

"Understanding the Intricacies of French and Russian Hallmarks"

August 17, 2009, Marina Del Rey, CA

October 1, 2009, Fashion Institute of Technology, New York

France and Russia are two of the most important jewelry and collectible objet - producing countries in the world, with some of the most widely recognized, yet frequently misinterpreted hallmarks on antique jewelry and precious metal articles. There is far more to French and Russian hallmarks than meets the eye. Important information is often overlooked, incorrectly identified, or just simply misunderstood. Through dynamic visuals, Bill Whetstone and Danusia Niklewicz's presentation explained the complexities of both French and Russian hallmarks from the nineteenth century to date. Whetstone and Niklewicz also offered a short update of the changing face of global hallmarking.

The team of Whetstone and Niklewicz are passionate lecturers who enthusiastically share information with all jewelry historians, whether new to the study or seasoned professionals.

 

A Focus on 21st Century Jewelry: A Daylong Symposium
November 20, 2009,  Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn, NY

This exciting event took place at the Brooklyn Museum, currently offering a retrospective of jeweler Art Smith’s work. Lectures included:
• Fine Jewelers and Their Work 1970–Present, Janet Zapata (Historian, lecturer, author, and curator)
• From the Village to Vogue: The Modernist Jewelry of Art Smith, Guided tour with Dr. Barry Harwood (Curator)
• Fashion Jewelry and its influence from the 1960’s through the 1980’s, Deanna Farnetti Cera (Historian, lecturer, author, and curator)
• Studio Jewelers from Midcentury to the Present, Patricia Kiley Faber (Lecturer, author, and retailer)

 

"The History of Bulgari and an Exhibition in the Making"
December 10, 2009, Bulgari, New York

Amanda Triossi, world-renowned author, historian, and lecturer, spoke about the venerable firm of Bulgari, from both the exterior and the interior, sharing the steps Triossi took to mount the Bulgari 125th Anniversary exhibition  in Rome and featuring over 500 exemplary pieces of Bulgari jewelry.

2008

Van Cleef and Arpels: Special Orders and Requests that Inspired the VCA Design Sensibility
April 10, 2008, Fashion Institute of Technology, New York

Lecture offered by Nicolas Luchsinger. Mr. Luchsinger is currently the manager of the Van Cleef & Arpels boutique in New York City, and was a fine jewelry specialist at  Christie's for ten years. His keenly trained eye guided us through the artistic process a major design house experiences as it creates signature pieces for signature customers.


"From Art Nouveau to Art Jewelry: The Studio Jewelry Movement 1940-1970"

May 8, 2008, Fashion Institute of Technology, New York

Lecture offered by Patricia Kiley Faber.  Mrs. Faber is a co-owner of the New York based Aaron Faber Gallery.  She is a frequent lecturer and spokesperson on the subject of studio  jewelry and its history, and in this lecture she guided us through the post-World War Two years that produced significant changes in jewelry design.

"Paris/New York: Design, Fashion, Culture 1925 - 1940"
October 16, 2008, Museum of the City of New York

"Paris/New York: Design, Fashion, Culture 1925 - 1940",  a new exhibition exploring design in film, architecture, jewelry, fashion, and the performing arts. Our evening included a lecture by curator Donald Albrecht, and a self-guided tour of the exhibition.

 

"Chinese Jewelry through the Ages"
November 8, 2008, Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM) Museum & Galleries
Los Angeles, CA

Through the use of panoply of images and some actual examples, David Humphrey illustrated the various styles of ornaments brought on by different cultural influences throughout China’s colorful past.  In addition, he discussed the metallurgy and techniques of fabrication as well as types and sources of material used by the Chinese over their long history.

 

“Vever, A Man For All Seasons: Jeweler, Artist, Historian”
November 13, 2008, Fashion Institute of Technology, New York

An illuminating lecture by historian and author Brenda Forman on the legendary jewelry designer Henri Vever. 

 

“Georgian Jewelry: Splendid Treasures from the Past”
December 4, 2008, Fashion Institute of Technology, New York

A lecture and discussion of Georgian jewelry by Ginny Redington Dawes and Olivia Collings, the joint authors of "Georgian Jewellery: 1714 -1830"   The lecture was followed by a December Holiday Celebration and our ASJH annual member's meeting. Holiday refreshments were served after the lecture.

2007

"Arthur King, Avant-garde Goldsmith"
September 20, 2007, Fashion Institute of Technology, New York

Tracey Zabar (author of three books, including Charmed Bracelets) discussed the jewelry designer Arthur King, who was one of the great goldsmiths of the sixties and seventies. He used the lost wax casting technique to set fabulous baroque pearls and precious gems. With shops in New York, London, Miami, Paris and Havana, Arthur King was a trendsetter in his day, yet his pieces are fresh and collectible today.

 

“Raymond C. Yard: Jeweler to America’s Carriage Trade”
November 8, 2007, Fashion Institute of Technology, New York

Raymond Yard jewels are rarely available in the secondary market for a simple reason: owners never want to let them go because they are such magnificent examples of the jeweler's art. Dr. Natasha Kusmanovic, noted historian, has spent several years writing the definitive book about the rich history of Raymond Yard, jeweler to America's blueblood clans. This lecture included a book signing.

 

"Guidelines,Timelines, and Social Significance: Why it was important then -Why we still love  it  today"
December 6, 2007, Fashion Institute of Technology, New York

Lecture by Michael Coan entitled "Guidelines, Timelines, and Social Significance: Why it was important then, Why we still love it today". Michael Coan, Chairman of Jewelry Design at the Fashion Institute of Technology, has had a life-spanning career in the jewelry world. His lecture covered many topics, including pervasive themes, historical and political intrigue, and above all, a deep and abiding love of jewels themselves.  The lecture was followed by a December Holiday Celebration and our ASJH annual member's meeting. Holiday refreshments were served after the lecture.