Grima Jewellery Collection
Our 14th September Twentieth Century Design sale will include a stunning collection of Andrew Grima (1921-2007) bespoke jewellery.
Born in Rome in 1921, Grima joined his future father-in-law's jewellery business in London in 1946 after nearly five years as an engineer with the 7th Indian Division in Burma. Entirely self-taught, he innovated new techniques and brought a whole new perspective to jewellery design, using a more organic and abstract focus to his pieces.
Grima became the foremost modern jewellery designer in the West End of London in the 1960s and 1970s, selling designs from his exclusive gallery in Jermyn Street, Mayfair. His clientele included celebrities and royalty, and his skill was recognised with several awards including being the only jeweller to have been awarded the Duke of Edinburgh's Prize for Elegant Design and his contribution to British exports was recognised with The Queen’s Award to Industry in its inaugural year. He won the De Beers Diamonds International Award (the Oscars of jewellery design) a record 11 times and, in 1969, was commissioned by Omega to create one of the most outrageous and daring watch collections ever made.
Grima was particularly interested in the organic possibilities of jewellery design and created pieces resembling objects found in nature; a piece of lichen sent to him by HRH Princess Margaret, was cast in yellow gold, offset with brilliant-cut diamonds and transformed into a brooch.
Grima died in Gstaad on 26 December 2007, but his workshop continues to this today creating a range of limited pieces each year. Examples of his work can be seen in the collections of the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths.
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