Peking Glass is a term that has long been used in the costume jewellery trade to describe Czech. green glass stones that resemble jade. It is in fact not carved but pressed glass. The term is also used loosely to describe moulded green Czech. glass. In fact this is incorrect. Peking Glass is an elaborate procedure requiring a lot of skill! A good description can be found on Wikipedia. It originated in China in the 18th century. It is still being made in china today. I had been using the term for very many years until I realised it was quite incorrect and I no longer use it (although probably in my head it will still be Peking Glass!) You will see that the term is still used widely throughout the Internet – and people having been using it for so long – it will probably still continue to be used – but I wanted to clear up the confusion on my web site!
Author: Gillian Horsup
VOGUE MAY 2019 – KATE MOSS/ANITA PALLENBERG
In Vogue Magazine May 2019 Kate Moss pays tribute to Anita Pallenberg in an article entitled ‘Wild Things’, talking with Bella Freud. Anita Pallenberg – a famous model from the 1960/70s – is a great favourite of mine so I was glad to have a necklace included in this shot. Kate is wearing a tunic from the Anita Pallenberg Archive. I always have gold tone necklaces in my shop at Alfies Antiques. Fashion Editor Kate Moss, Stylist Kate Phelan, Photographer Michael Jansson.
CIRO PEARLS
Ciro Pearls – which was first registered in 1917 – was originally a mail order company. One cut out forms from a newspaper and sent it to Ciro. They opened their first store – on Bond Street in central London in 1920. The produced the world’s first cultured pearl in 1917. In 1970 they invented the ‘Cirolit’ a triple A classified cubic zirconia. In the 1990s Ciro had more than 150 stores worldwide. They are still a leading producer of high end imitation jewellery with a wide range of prices. They have a shop in London’s Burlington Arcade. I have always loved Ciro jewellery – particularly the faux pearl items and try to have some examples in my shop. The quality is so good. This information has been taken from Ciro Pearls ‘About Me’ on their web site – which you can find on Google.
i-D MAGAZINE – WINTER 2010 – KATE MOSS
So pleased to have my 1960’s sunglasses on Kate Moss in this photo for I-D Magazine – the ‘Back to the Future’ issue. The photographer was Alasdair Mclennan and it was styled by the then i-D Fashion Director Edward Enninful. I always have a selection of vintage sunglasses in stock.
CINER
One of my favourite firms producing costume jewellery has to be Ciner. The firm started in 1892 but did not begin making costume jewellery until the early 1930’s. The pieces are of very good quality – and often look like the real thing. The firm is still in operation. I always buy vintage Ciner if I can find it – but it is quite sought after and difficult to find at a reasonable price. Ciner is still making and their web site has an interesting section on ‘Our Story’ – see it at https://cinerny.com
ADELE
Delighted to find 3 pairs of my white paste earrings on Adele in Vogue – October 2011. The only other pair of earrings were Bulgari – price on request – so I am in good company! Vogue were doing a series of articles on The English Woman- of which Adele is one. Photographer Solve Sundsho and Stylist Kate Phelan.
LUCITE
Lucite became very popular for costume jewellery in the 1940s and 1950s. It was cheaper to produce than Bakelite or galalith and could be dyed and polished. Lucite was first produced at the beginning of the 1930s and was used in WW2 in aeroplanes etc. as an alternative to glass. Dupont developed Lucite for jewellery around 1937. Trifari famously used it in his Jelly Bellies. Joseph H. Meyer Bros produced their version referred to as ‘Moonglow’. It could be made in a variety of shapes and colours and was popular until the 1970s. It was also made into bags, shoes and other accessories – and also into furniture. Most of the info in these notes are taken from the www.collectors weekly.com article ‘Vintage Lucite Jewelry’ – but there is plenty of other available info on Google.
PAPER MAGAZINE – APRIL 2014 – FELICITY HAYWOOD
In the April 14 Paper Magazine Felicity Hayward – the fashion plus size model – is featured wearing one of my diamanté necklaces. Love this picture – it was photographed by Louie Banks and styled by David Motta. I always carry a large selection of diamante in my shop at Vintage Modes, Alfies Antiques in central London. I have a good selection of necklaces, brooches, dress clips, double dress clip brooches, earrings etc.
NEIGER
EVENING STANDARD MAGAZINE – NOVEMBER 2018 – IRIS LAW
In the Evening Standard magazine on 16.11.18 an article entitle ‘It’s the Law’ featured Iris Law. In this picture she is wearing a silver brooch of mine in her hat and a hallmarked silver buckle bangle. Photographer Bella Howard and styled by Bay Garnett.