• Search what's on:

  • Advanced

  • The William and Judith Bollinger Gallery

  • Until Sep 1
  • This event has finished
  • V&A, Cromwell Rd, London, SW7 2RL

  • By Sara O’Reilly

    Posted: Mon May 19

  • The latest instalment in the V&A’ s FuturePlan – which is transforming the place inch by inch into a museum that you find yourself inclined to visit on a regular basis – is the opening this week of the William and Judith Bollinger Gallery, which has been designed by architect Eva Jiricna. With a new mezzanine floor reached by central glass spiral staircase, it replaces the old jewellery galleries with a home fit for one of the most comprehensive collections in the world.

    The main focus of the gallery, restored over four years with the help of a £7 million donation from William Bollinger, is the history of European jewellery over the past 800 years. Among the 3,500 items of jewellery on display are diamonds worn by Catherine the Great of Russia, pendants presented by Elizabeth I to her courtiers and the Beauharnais Emeralds, which were a gift from Napoleon to his adopted daughter. Nineteenth-century jewellery is a particular strength of the V&A’s collection and contemporary jewellery is also well represented.

    Among work by more than 140 living goldsmiths and jewellers are pieces from The Royal College of Art Visiting Artists Collection, which spans the years from 1987 to 2006 and consists of one-off pieces produced by jewellers and goldsmiths from outside Britain who, in addition to teaching masterclasses, each made an object for the RCA. The collection was donated to the V&A last year.

    To accompany the opening of the gallery, three new jewellery ranges, including pieces by Grayson Perry and Dita Von Teese, will go on sale in the V&A’s shop, which for some is a destination in its own right.
Add your comment to this listing

Have your say






Advertisement

  • Details

  • V&A, Cromwell Rd, London, SW7 2RL
    , UK
    Geo: 51.496820, -0.172507
  • 020 7942 2000
  • Category: Museums & Attractions
  • Times: Daily 10am-5.45pm, till 10pm Fri
  • Tube: South Kensington

  • Map

Date of the day

cute_cookies

Hi! I am 23 and live in London. I love to spend my time visiting the cinema/theatre/museums/galleries; going for drinks; eating out; just generally...

Hotels.com
hotels in London
Travel Supermarket
Flights to London
Hotels in London
London Car Hire
Venere.com
London hotel deals
Expedia.co.uk logo
hotels in London
Great travel deals
hotel.info
Guest reviews of London hotels

More ways to enjoy Time Out