The Heneage or Armada Jewel (front), English, about 1595, Given by the Art Fund through the generosity of Lord Wakefield. © Victoria and Albert Museum

LONDON.-The V&A will open the new William and Judith Bollinger Jewellery Gallery on 24 May 2008. The gallery will display 3,500 jewels from the V&A’s jewellery collection, one of the finest and most comprehensive in the world. The new gallery will centre principally on the story of European jewellery during the last 800 years. On show will be jewels that reflect the splendour of courtly life, some of the finest designs from the great jewellery houses of the 20th century and jewels designed by important contemporary makers.

Historic highlights include jewelled pendants given by Queen Elizabeth I to her courtiers, and diamonds worn by Catherine the Great of Russia. The age of Napoleon is represented by the famous Beauharnais Emeralds, the gift of Napoleon to his adopted daughter, and by tiaras and ornaments worn by the Empress Josephine.

Lire la suite http://www.artdaily.com/index.asp?int_sec=2&int_new=22690

Diadem of enamelled gold set with cornelian intaglios, French, about 1808, Private collection on loan to the V&A. © Victoria and Albert Museum