Lecture & Afternoon Tea | Opulent Intimacy: Royal Presentation Jewellery with Scott Coleman

Jewellery made for Kings and Queens to present as gifts holds a special allure due to its unique royal provenance, rarity and beauty. From Renaissance gems to Cartier creations, each precious mark of royal favour has a story to tell; having borne silent witness to great events of the past such as coronations, royal weddings and tours. In 'Opulent Intimacy', jewellery connoisseur Scott Coleman brings the histories of royal presentation jewels to life, exploring the evolving style of these microcosms of jewellery design and the circumstances of their creation.

Featuring a special display of historic jewels made for British monarchs from Scott Coleman’s private collection, 'Opulent Intimacy' offers the chance to see rare royal artefacts up close. These include a golden pin ordered by Queen Victoria to commemorate her Highland servant, John Brown; and cufflinks gifted by King George VI to a Page of Honour at his coronation.

Scott Coleman has an abiding interest in the relationship between the monarchy and the arts. He has lectured at the National Portrait Gallery and the Museum of Australian Democracy on subjects relating to royal jewels, regalia and collecting, and serves on the National Council of the Australian Monarchist League. Scott is a Portrait Donor at the National Portrait Gallery, where his work has twice been exhibited, and in 2008 was awarded the National Gallery of Australia’s Summer Art Scholarship. He makes regular loans to exhibitions from his collection and speaks on themes of heraldry and history to various research societies. His interests include collecting royal artifacts, English porcelain, painting and dogs.

Join The Friends for another interesting and stimulating presentation. Afternoon tea, to include an array of delicious petit fours and biscuits, will be served on arrival. 

NOTE: Tickets for this event do not include access to our exhibition-house, Fairhall. Guided tours of the current exhibition can be booked separately. 

This event is supported by The Colin Holden Charitable Trust. 

Image: King Edward VII royal presentation stickpin given to a Coronation Commissioner, 1902, by Bennett & Co., Blackheath. Courtesy of the Coleman Collection.