In this study day Andrew combines the lectures 'From Downton to Gatsby' and 'The Glamour Years'. He shows how period between 1890 and 1959 was probably the most tumultuous and extraordinary in world history, with political and world events having a profound and lasting effect, not only how people lived, but also on fashion and jewellery design.

He guides you through the various decades while illustrating the events and people who created today’s modern world, together with showing how Hollywood had such an impact on that period, focusing on the extraordinary jewels and fashion that was created.

Andrew Prince has had a passion for jewellery since he was a small child. In fact his enthusiasm can be traced back to the time when, at the age of three, he swallowed one of his mother’s pearl earrings having found her jewel box hidden from him in a cupboard. The very first piece of jewellery he created was a ring made of copper wire pulled from the back of a television. He presented it to his grandmother (it turned her finger green and gave her a rash). He then created a necklace for his mother using beads taken off her wedding dress (she was not at all happy). In 1980, when he was nine, Andrew's mother took him to the Princely Magnificence exhibition at the V&A, exhibiting Renaissance jewels dating from 1500 to 1630. It proved a revelation. Dazzled by the splendour and opulence of the jewels on show, Andrew decided then and there that creating jewellery was what he wanted to devote his life to. His passion for jewellery grew when, in 1984 on his first ever visit to Bond Street, Andrew viewed an exhibition by Castellani and Giulianoe at Wartski & Co’s. While there, he was allowed to handle beautiful 18th century gold boxes and magnificent imperial Russian pieces by Fabergé. In 1987, just before leaving school, he took time off to visit Geneva to view the astonishing Sotheby’s auction of the Duchess of Windsor's jewellery collection. Here, for the first time, he held pieces created by some of the world's greatest jewellers, fashioned from only the finest of stones and set in designs of outstanding quality. For the young Andrew, it was a life-changing experience. In August of that year, two weeks after his 16th birthday, Andrew started work in London’s Bond Street, working for The Antiques Roadshow expert Ian Harris. Under his guidance, Andrew developed an appreciation for jewels that were valued for their quality of design and craftsmanship, rather than for how much the stones in the piece were worth. He then joined the renowned contemporary jeweller Elizabeth Gage and worked with her on the design and production side. Through her and her private collection, Andrew was able to see and handle rare and extraordinary stones with names such as Sphene, Andalusite, Spinel and Dioptase, many of which are far rarer than diamonds. Elizabeth Gage was to have an enormous influence on Andrew's sense of what was possible within the realm of jewellery design. Andrew's taste for fine 'costume jewellery' can be traced back to an antique market, where he came across a late Victorian brooch set with what he initially thought were emeralds and diamonds. They were, in fact, crystal and green glass set in silver and gold. He realised that beautiful jewellery didn't require expensive stones, and that it was the elegance of the design and the quality of the workmanship that truly mattered. Private commissions then started to trickle in. The trickle turned into a flood, as celebrities such as Michael Jackson (a large crystal and pearl shoulder jewel) and Shirley Bassey (necklaces) were seen wearing Andrew's creations. In 2002, the V&A commissioned a collection of jewels to accompany the resplendent Tiaras, Past and Present exhibition which became one of their most popular exhibits. The exposure gained by the show then led to Andrew's jewellery appearing in film. In 2005, he was asked to make tiaras and jewellery for Mrs Henderson Presents starring Judy Dench. In 2009, pieces were commissioned for The Young Victoria starring Emily Blunt and Miranda Richardson. In 2012, he was chosen by the creators of Downton Abbey to supply a large collection of jewellery for the third series. The characters played by Maggie Smith, Shirley Maclaine, Elizabeth McGovern and Michelle Dockery were all adorned with elegant tiaras, combs, earrings and necklaces designed and created by Andrew Prince.

This is a Charing literary event not associated with TASE. Charing St Peter & Paul Church 7pm

Report on the Event.

On Wednesday 29th May, 2024, we have the next Arts Society Study Day with Mark Hill, who came to us last season to talk about “Cool Curves”. The format of the day is slightly different from our usual 3 lectures. Mark’s first talk is on “Undressing Antiques”, which is a persuasive introduction to buying antiques and integrating and using them in today’s homes. Then, after a short break, Mark will give a talk entitled “Cracking Glass”, which is an overview of the “Big Four” post war glass companies, comprising Whitefriars, King’s Lynn (Wedgewood), Caithness and Dartington.
After this second talk, we break for a light lunch, typically sandwiches and fruit with wine or soft drinks. Then, Mark will discuss items brought in by members in an “Antiques Roadshow” kind of format. He has asked if they should be ceramic or glass from the last century and would be interested in any “special stories” about them.
Anyone who watches the “Antiques Roadshow” will know what a good speaker Mark is, and we are very excited to have him with us for a whole day.

The cost for the day is £35, including tea or coffee on arrival and lunch. This event is likely to be over-subscribed so although I do not want any payment until the February meeting, I would like anyone who is thinking of coming to sign up to register an interest. This both gives us an idea of numbers and guarantees that you will be first on the list for a place.

More details of the day plus timings and how to pay will follow. Anyone not at the meeting can register an interest by sending an email to me at oastpost@btinternet.com and I will add your name to the list.

Jenny Mowatt.

The late, great physicist Stephen Hawking once said "I like physics, but I love cartoons". This study day looks at the demanding business of being a professional cartoonist from the last one hundred and sixty years, from the genius of Honore Daumier (friend to the impressionists) to the exiled Hong Kong cartoonist Badiucao and the peerless Matt of the Daily telegraph. During the course of the day we will explore the ways in which cartoonists comment on the people, events and fads of the moment, consider the question "What makes a great cartoon?" and ask whether there is an argument for treating cartoons as a visual art.

10:00 - 15:00  £28 including coffee and lunch.

Funny for a living.
An overview of the work of the cartoonist. The first talk considers how various cartoonists arrived at their strange profession and where they get their ideas from. It also asks what are the highs, lows and the perils of being a professional cartoonist.

The New Yorker and its Artists.
The New Yorker magasine has set the gold standard for cartoon humour since its inaugural issue in 1925 including the work of James Thurber, Charles Addams, Saul Steinberg, Barney Tobey, Bob Mankoff, Roz Chast and Peter Steiner, one of whose cartoon has been reproduced so often it has earned him more than $250,000.

The Brits.
Not to be outdone by the wise guys at the New Yorker, post-war Britain has produced its own share of top-notch cartoonists. Many of these, such as Larry, Tony Husband, Michael Ffolks and Ken Pyne appeared either in Punch or Private Eye, occassionally in both. Others, including Giles. Reg Smythe (of Andy Capp fame), Peter Brookes, Steve Bell, Posy Simmonds and Matt developed a loyal following in the pages of the national newspapers.

An historian of British art with a particular interest in the work of JMW Turner, on whom he has published widely, including the volume on Turner in Phaidon's Art & Ideas series, and several catalogue essays for exhibitions in the UK, Germany, Italy and Poland. He was the BBC's script consultant on Turner's Fighting Temeraire and has recently taken part (2013) in a BBC documentary called The Genius of Turner: Painting the Industrial Revolution. He has also published a study of John Constable's paintings. His interests and his teaching extend from medieval architecture to contemporary British art. He is currently Associate Lecturer with the Open University and lecturing on a freelance basis for The Arts Society, Christie's Education and other organisations.

The Magnificent Maya – Fact & Fantasy.The Maya created one of the most sophisticated civilizations in the ancient world.  Their achievements in the arts and sciences, along with their complex social, political and economic systems, make them one of the most remarkable culture groups in the Precolumbian Americas. These people brought us an intricate calendar system, complex hieroglyphic writing, some of the largest pyramids in the world, a form of ballgame that was like no other and most importantly chocolate!

Three lectures will explore different facets of this absorbing civilization.

Dr Diane Davies is a Maya archaeologist and honorary research associate of the Institute of Archaeology, University College London. She completed her PhD at Tulane University, New Orleans. Little is known about the Maya in the UK and so aside from carrying out research in Guatemala and teaching, Diane is an educational consultant for schools giving workshops to both teachers and children on the Maya. She has created award-winning resources, organizes trips to the Maya area and is also the Chair of Chok Education, a charity supporting the education of Maya children. Diane organises conferences on the Maya as well as lecturing to a variety of organisations, including the City Literary Institute, London and the Historical Association.