The Eastern Influence in European Jewellery by Patricia Law

The Arts Society on influences on European jewellery

The influence of the East on European jewellery pervades in all its aspects. This lecture looks at the gemstones that were traded and exported to Europe, such as pearls from the Indies in Roman times, and the gems in the Crown Jewels. There are rubies from Burma, sapphires from Kashmir and Ceylon and Imperial Jade from China.

With these gemstones came influences on styles and the way that jewellery was worn. Some pieces were directly copied and at other times simple motifs were added to existing styles. Techniques were learnt, such as the Japanese cloisonné enamelling used by the French jeweller Falize. This lecture aims to show the glamour of the East and how the West embraced its myriad influences.