Bloomin' jewels: the blossoming of the floral in contemporary jewellery

Since the first human tucked a flower in their hair, blooms have been a part of human adornment. Each epoch saw new interpretations of the floral in jewellery. The Romans had their ivy circlets, the Tudors long necklaces of clusters of tiny blossoms, the Victorians their detailed panoply of symbolic blooms, Art Nouveau its sinuous floral forms and twentieth-century costume pieces sprays of foliage and flowers. Despite this, the contemporary studio jewellery movement for many years rejected the prettification of jewellery and, as a result, the flower form in contemporary jewellery withered. All of this is set to change with ‘Bloomin’ Jewels’, a new selling exhibition at Contemporary Applied Arts in Bankside, which sows the seeds for a regrowth of the floral motif. This special exhibition spotlights cutting-edge, imaginative and technically accomplished modern work whilst celebrating the long and esteemed tradition of depicting flowers and foliage in jewellery. Over 20 respected contemporary jewellers have been invited to offer work using the botanical as a starting point for the creation of jewellery. The results will surprise and dazzle anyone interested in contemporary jewellery, decorative arts, fashion, design and gardening. Schmuck takes place each year at the International Trade Fair for the Skilled Trades and is the longest running competition and exhibition of contemporary jewellery, having been set up in 1959. 65 artist from 912 applications were selected and the inclusion of Peterson’s work is a clear indication of it’s relevance and sense of innovation. The work will also be included in the printed catalogue of Schmuck18