Jewellery & Watch News
Designed in conjunction with Chatsworth’s latest exhibition, Life Stories, we have designed a spectacular new collection of fine jewellery inspired by one of the house’s most famous residents, Bess of Hardwick, and her 1,000 white freshwater pearl necklace.
Chatsworth: Life Stories Exhibition
Between 18 May 2021 and 3 October 2021, Chatsworth is opening its doors to share never-heard-before stories about the lives of people associated with Chatsworth. These stories are presented through nine paired portraits and objects relating to the family, their friends and artists they have worked with. The pairs invite thought about how the loves of these figures relate to our own.
Artists Angela Conner and Elisabeth Frink are some of the first figures meet followed by historic family members like William 5th Duke of Devonshire and Christian Bruce, wife of the 2nd Earl of Devonshire. One of Derbyshire’s most notable figures can also be seen in the Life Stories exhibition, Bess of Hardwick. A famous portrait of Elizabeth Talbot, Countess of Shrewsbury is placed in the State Bedchamber and shows her wearing a black velvet dress and pearl necklace. An almost exact replica of the necklace sits beside the portrait, a piece that has proudly been designed and handcrafted by the C W Sellors team.
The Life Stories Jewellery Collection
To own a pearl necklace like the one worn by Bess of Hardwick was extremely rare, both today and back in Elizabethan England. As demonstrated in the portrait painted by Rowland Lockey in 1592, the pearl necklace features over 1,000 pearls in total with around 250 per strand with each individual gemstone seeming exact in colour. Possessing such a fine piece of jewellery back then was a symbol of absolute wealth and luxury and when worn by the likes of Bess of Hardwick, it embodies so much more including her ambitious and resolute personality.
It is these very characteristics that have motivated the new Life Stories jewellery line, in the hopes that those that wear the pieces are inspired to feel just as powerful and extraordinary as Bess. Adorned in freshwater pearls, the collection brings to life the extravagant pearl necklace at a joyfully affordable price point. From simple pearl stud earrings to more extravagant double strand pearl necklaces, our Life Stories jewellery offers something for every budget, style and personality.
You can shop the full collection on the W Hamond website here and for those interested in seeing the Chatsworth: Life Stories exhibition in person, you can book your tickets on the Chatsworth website here.
