The Jewellerian - Stories of Jewels Josie Goodbody

In this final episode of my exclusive interview with Kieran McCarthy, director of Warstki and curator of Faberge in London: Romance to Revolution at the V&A Museum, we discuss the utterly extraordinary circumstances that led him to discover the long lost "Third Imperial Easter Egg" by Fabergé. It had originally been given by Tsar Alexander III to his wife, Tsarina Maria Feodorovna, for Easter in 1887. Kieran describes what is thought to have happened to the egg from the time it was confiscated and taken from the Imperial Cabinet by the Bolsheviks in 1917, to being acquired by Wartski for a private collector from the home of a scrap metal merchant in the USA in 2014. 

We also talk about the other two missing eggs that are thought to still exist and which are hidden/ lost somewhere. 

Listen to the end and you will hear us discuss the role Faberge had in the fall of the Romanovs.

www.wartski.com

www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/faberge

www.josiegoodbody.com/podcasts

www.instagram.com/josiegoodbody/?hl=en 

In the second part of my exclusive interview with Kieran McCarthy - organised in collaboration with the V&A Museum and recorded in London in October 2021 - we discuss Faberge's firm entry into English society with, firstly an office in London and then a standalone store. 

The boutique at 173 Bond Street became the home away from home for the Russian emigré community, many of whom had escaped their motherland in the early 1900s. Grand Duke Michael Mikhailovich, grandson of Emperor Nicholas I would salute the portraits of the Tsar and Tsarina that hung on the walls in the London salon. And the many American heiresses, who had married into English aristocracy, would spend afternoons buying gifts to send back to their motherland. In fact Feodorowna Lady Alington (herself named after the name taken by Russian Tsarinas on marriage) proclaimed that all guests at her Christmas parties must exchange gifts from Faberge! 

Of course one of the reasons that Faberge opened in London and not Paris, was thanks to the British Royal Family, already ardent supporters of the St Petersburg goldsmiths. Queen Alexandra, sister to the Dowager Tsarina Maria Feodorovna, had began a formidable collection whilst Princess of Wales - much of which had been gifted by her Russian relatives. Indeed her sister Maria Feodorovna was so annoyed that Faberge had opened in London that she famously said “Now that that silly Fabergé has his shop in London, you have everything, and I can’t send you anything new, so I am furious.” 

I do hope that you enjoy this fabulous second episode with the inimitable Kieran and come back for the last episode - his remarkable discovery of one of the missing Imperial Eggs. 

In this exclusive episode - organised in collaboration with the V&A and recorded in London in October - I speak with Kieran McCarthy, director of Wartski (Faberge experts and dealers of the finest antique jewels and objets) and curator of the forthcoming exhibition at the V&A in London. 
This is the first of two (hour long!) episodes with Kieran, in which he speaks to me about Faberge, the Imperial Family, the British Royal family and of course, wonderful Wartski's centennial connection to the most important Russian maison of all time.  
I can't wait for you to listen!
www.vam.ac.uk/exhibitions/faberge
https://wartski.com/
www.josiegoodbody.com - https://www.instagram.com/josiegoodbody/?hl=en 

In this episode I speak with Susan Foster - one of the most talented independent jewellers on the island of Manhattan, as well as a dedicated philanthropist.

Susan grew up in East Hampton, surrounded by creative spirit and flair. Jackson Pollock’s house and the studio of Dutch American abstract impressionist, Willem de Kooning, proved an important influence in her childhood; and consequently her career. Her colourful upbringing led her to study ancient art and architecture at UCLA, followed by apprenticeships with European goldsmiths, finally finishing her schooling at the Gemology Institute of America.

Susan’s excellent training and technological prowess provides the impeccable foundation for all her jewellery designs. Influenced and inspired by current fashion, she ensures that her jewels reflect the trends whilst still remaining impeccably classical. She is internationally adored by editors and stylists alike, Carol Woolton (Vogue UK executive fashion director and jewellery author includes Susan in her latest book). And Susan's work also sets major worldwide jewellery trends themselves: diamond slices, the rebirth of chandelier earrings and buzz around oversized cocktail rings.

Susan has a huge private client base, with her designs being stocked around the world, from London to LA, New York to Moscow. Her pieces are worn by celebrities on every red carpet possible, including the gorgeous Kate Hudson. Alex Shulman was gifted a pair of earrings on her retirement from Vogue UK by Conde Nast owner - Si Newhouse.

In what free time Susan has - she is a philanthropist, founding A Place to be(ad) Me. The foundation is an artistic safe haven for children and young teenagers from home environments experiencing upheaval, such as a divorce, separation, domestic violence, or other traumatic events. They learn how to make jewellery, and the mere experience of beading helps them express themselves.

I hope that you enjoy this episode.

www.aplacetobeme.org

www.susanfosterjewelry.com

@susanfoster

@josiegoodbody

www.josiegoodbody.com

In this episode, I speak with Cynthia Morrow the founder of COVETT - the world's first fine jewellery platform that offers shared ownership, and a pretty snazzy subscription service. 

Written about in Forbes and Wallpaper magazine, amongst others - this is the trailblazing way of being able to own some of the finest of jewels, without worrying about how to insure them, look after them or even lock them up in a safe hidden in your house.

The jewels in Covett's Vault are constantly being added to - with brands such as Cartier, David Jerome, 77 Diamonds and Alice van Cal, Myriam SOS, Le Ster, Eva Gems & Jewels already waiting impatiently to be worn, and owned, by YOU!

@covettluxury

@cynthia_covett

www.cove.tt

@josiegoodbody

www.josiegoodbody

In this episode, recorded remotely in early August, I speak with Kate Flitcroft - one of the incredible jewellery experts on the iconic UK BBC programme, The Antiques Roadshow. 

Kate, who is now part of the jewellery team at Bonhams, divulges what goes on behind the scenes, some of the amazing pieces of jewellery that she has discovered on the show and what it is like to film in some of the country's most spectacular stately homes and gardens.

This episode is in memory of my father, Mark Goodbody, who died earlier this week (7th Sept 2021) and who loved the AR so much that he would more often than not disturb bedtime with my babies, to tell me to turn the show on as there was an exquisite piece of jewellery to look at. Of course I was probably watching it too! The show has been a family favourite for as long as I can remember - my mother wouldn't even let us talk during it!

To donate to my podcast please do visit the link below. Thank you.

https://ko-fi.com/thejewellerian