Talisman Gallery
Talisman Gallery is a leading British jewellery retailer based in London.
IN THE LOUPE
Neue Galerie in New York City
Saturday, February 11th, 2012
I was in New York recently for the JA jewellery trade show, and to make some new orders at the showrooms of some of the companies that I buy from. There wasn’t a lot of time for fun, but I finally managed to visit the Neue Galerie of early twentieth century German and Austrian art on its tenth anniversary, in its elegant townhouse at 1048 Fifth Avenue. Read more . . .
Category: In the loupe
A Snowy Day in London Town with a Polar Bear
Sunday, February 5th, 2012
It snowed last night and I didn’t want to miss a walk in Hyde Park – it always looks so beautiful under a blanket of white with the black skeletons of trees against the skyline. The Serpentine was largely frozen, driving the swans, geese and ducks onto land. I came across some lovely snowmen, but only photographed this one – a dapper, very three dimensional and textured polar bear in a bow tie of leaves with berry eyes and nose. He looks so happy to be here – but I forgot to ask what the initials stand for.
I found the sculptors putting the finishing touches to it:
They are En Yu Lin from Taiwan studying Illustration at Kingston University and Jun Young Oh from South Korea studying at Camberwell Art School.
Category: In the loupe
Season’s Greetings and Sale News
Saturday, December 24th, 2011
I would like to wish all my customers and readers a peaceful Christmas and a happy, healthy and successful 2012. Read more . . .
Category: In the loupe
Blue Rondo a la Turque – December – Turquoise
Tuesday, December 13th, 2011
Turquoise is a blue-green mineral that is a hydrous phosphate of copper and aluminium. The name derives from the French turques as the gemstone mined in Persia was imported to Europe through Turkey. It was known to the Aztecs as chalchihuitl.
Persian sky-blue turquoise was highly valued for more than 2000 years, and primarily mined in the area around the mountain peak of Neyshabur. The Southwest of the USA was an important source, mainly from Arizona, New Mexico, and Nevada. It was mined from pre-Columbian times by First Nation peoples, and has been used extensively by Navajo, Zuni and Hopi jewellers up to the present day.
China, Afghanistan, and Northern India have all been sources of turquoise. It has been seen as a holy stone and good luck amulet. In Ancient Egypt it accompanied the dead inlaid in grave goods , and in Persia the brightest blue gemstones were believed to be protective against untimely death.
Above left to right: Ram Rijal 22ct gold and turquoise ring; Lithos pendant of turquoise and 18ct gold set with blue topaz and 18ct gold, turquoise and diamond ring. From a selection at Talisman Gallery Harvey Nichols
Category: Birthstone of the month
Tomb of the Unknown Craftsman – Grayson Perry at the British Museum
Tuesday, November 29th, 2011
Turner Prize-winning artist Grayson Perry has been delving deep into the British Museum’s collection to curate a personal view of the world through objects created by anonymous craftspeople. Read more . . .
Category: In the loupe
