NOONANS’ EXHIBITION TO SHOWCASE PRIVATE COLLECTION BY LOUIS OSMAN, AND BRITISH DESIGNER JEWELS CIRCA 1960S-1980S

A collection of jewellery and silver by 20th century architect and goldsmith Louis Osman will be on display in a Free Exhibition at Noonans Mayfair, 16 Bolton Street, London W1J 8BQ from Monday, October 7 - Saturday, October 12, 2024. The Jenkins Family Collection, a significant private collection commissioned from Osman by Maurice and Dorothy Jenkins in the 1970s and 1980s, will form part of the Exhibition. The Jenkins Family Collection will be offered for sale at Noonans on Tuesday, November 26, 2024, with estimates ranging from £800 to £60,000.

The Exhibition will also display an Important Private Collection of British Designer Jewellery, comprising examples by craftsmen and women who were working in the 1960s and 1970s, including Frances Beck, Gerald Benney, Ingeborg Bratman, Charles de Temple, Stuart Devlin, John Donald, Gerda Flöckinger, Alan Martin Gard, Andew Grima, Michael Gosschalk, Bernard Instone, Peter Lyon, Louis Osman, Hans Georg Mautner, Ben Rosenfeld, Gillian Packard, Naum Slutzky etc. (This loan collection will be non-selling).

As Frances Noble, Associate Director, and Head of Jewellery at Noonans, commented: “Most famous for designing the Prince of Wales’ Investiture crown of 1969, Louis Osman was to become one of the most important British designers and goldsmiths of the 20th century. He was not a prolific maker; hence this is a rare opportunity to view examples of his work.”

She continues: “All the pieces in The Jenkins Collection were individual commissions made by Osman for Maurice and Dorothy Jenkins and their three children. The Jenkins met Louis in the early 1970s when he and his wife Dilys were living at Canons Ashby in Northamptonshire, and where Louis had set up his gold and silver workshops.”

Among the highlights of The Jenkins Collection is a stunning parure of opal set jewellery comprising a necklace, ring, earrings, and brooch, crafted in 22ct gold, with opals that were personally sourced by Maurice Jenkins while on business trips to Australia. This is estimated at £40,000-60,000.

An impressive 22ct gold azurite crystal and sapphire necklace, dating from 1982, is estimated to fetch £20,000 - 30,000. An original pen and watercolour design for this piece was sold as part of The Personal Archive of Louis Osman at Noonans on 27 March 2018.

Also of note is the ‘Aquarius’ silver goblet, decorated with engraved ripples, small pearl bubbles and blue enamelled wave details, (the enamel work was done by Louis’ wife, Dilys), commissioned by Maurice and Dorothy as a 21st birthday present for their son Toby. It is estimated at £2000-3000.

The Exhibition will also display further items by Louis Osman, from different properties, including an exquisite gold, citrine and green enamel pendant necklace, 1976, the enamel work again done by Dilys, and estimated at £20,000-30,000.

The Exhibition will run from Monday 7 - Saturday 12 October, between 10.30am - 4pm each. FREE ENTRY.