Elizabeth Gage MBE is a British jewellery designer and trained master goldsmith who has been creating collectable jewellery for over 50 years. She has been described by the trade as someone "whose large rings, historical references, gorgeous stones and elaborate craftsmanship set the tone for a whole generation".[1]
Elizabeth Gage | |
|---|---|
| Nationality | British |
| Occupation(s) | Jewellery designer and Goldsmith |
| Website | http://www.elizabeth-gage.com |
Elizabeth Gage works in 18 and 22 carat gold. Her 'Helios' gold necklace, featured in Tatler magazine, took 203 grams of gold and 93 man hours to create.[2] Elizabeth’s approach to design is as unique as the jewels themselves. She combines different elements in her work which she chooses for their individual beauty; exquisite stones, ancient bronzes, beautiful carvings, baroque pearls, in fact anything where the shape and colour inspire her.[3]
Early career
editAfter studying design at the Chelsea School of Art and at the Sir John Cass College, in 1968 Elizabeth received a commission from Cartier in New York City to create a special collection for their new catalogue.[4] Four years later, she was presented with the coveted De Beers International Diamond Award.[5] In 1989, she was awarded the Queen's Award for Export Achievement. In 2008 Elizabeth was presented the Lifetime Achievement Award by Retail Jeweller, a UK Jewellery publication.[6]
Current work
editA major US retrospective of Elizabeth Gage's work entitled 'The Enchanting Jewels of Elizabeth Gage' was held at the New Britain Museum of American Art. The critically acclaimed show ran from 25 April to 26 July 2015.[7][8]
The 2015 auction at Bonhams New York of jewels belonging to the Hollywood legend Lauren Bacall featured one of Elizabeth Gage’s pieces; an enamel, cultured pearl and diamond “Camel” brooch.[9][10] The brooch sold for $23,750, well above its $7,000 high estimate.[11] Bacall bought her first piece of jewellery from Elizabeth Gage in 1985 and went on to order a total of 23 pieces from her.[12] Of her friendship with Lauren Bacall, Elizabeth says “Lauren Bacall was a strong woman and she knew her own truth. She was so easy to work with and we shared our inspirations. It was enormous fun designing for her. I shall miss her because as a woman, she was unique”.[9]
Elizabeth's pieces constantly attract the attention of top fashion magazines and celebrities due to their unique quality.[13][14] Some of her designs are included in the permanent jewellery collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.[15] She has recently published a book about her jewellery and her inspirations called The Unconventional Gage.[16]
Elizabeth Gage regularly shows her new collections in New York, where she has a faithful following.[17]
Gage was appointed Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE) in the 2017 Birthday Honours for services to business.[18]
References
edit- ^ Maria Doulton, Window shopping at Elizabeth Gage, The Jewellery Editor, 16 November 2011. Retrieved 2014-01-04.
- ^ Extreme Jewellery: Elizabeth Gage necklace Archived 2016-02-17 at the Wayback Machine, Tatler, 27 November 2013. Retrieved 2014-01-04.
- ^ "Elizabeth Gage - The Belgravia Wedding Quarter". www.belgraviaweddingquarter.com. Archived from the original on 5 March 2018. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
- ^ "Elizabeth Gage". Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
- ^ Christie’s. "Elisabeth Gage - Christie's". artist.christies.com. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
- ^ "Elizabeth Gage | About Elizabeth Gage". Archived from the original on 27 February 2015. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
- ^ "Project Name". www.billionaire.com. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
- ^ Villarreal, Ignacio. "The enchanting jewels of Elizabeth Gage on view at the New Britain Museum of American Art". artdaily.com. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
- ^ a b "Bonhams : An enamel, cultured pearl and diamond brooch, Elizabeth Gage". www.bonhams.com. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
- ^ DeMarco, Anthony. "Lauren Bacall Wears Elizabeth Gage Camel Brooch - pg.3". Forbes. Archived from the original on 30 December 2014. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
- ^ DeMarco, Anthony. "Lauren Bacall Jewelry Auction Fetches More Than $500,000". forbes.com. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
- ^ The Daily Telegraph
- ^ "Elizabeth Gage brooch - Seahorse & diamonds - Extreme Jewellery - Tatler". Archived from the original on 2 April 2015. Retrieved 11 March 2015.
- ^ "Elizabeth Gage The Passion Fruit bespoke ring". ft.com. 6 September 2014. Retrieved 17 October 2017.
- ^ Louise Gaudern (27 April 2014) "En-Gage-ing Rings" Archived 2014-05-28 at archive.today, Centurion Magazine. retrieved 2014-05-28.
- ^ The Unconventional Gage 2003 ISBN 0-9544437-0-5 by Elizabeth Gage
- ^ "Events – Elizabeth Gage". Archived from the original on 18 October 2015. Retrieved 7 October 2015.
- ^ "No. 61962". The London Gazette (Supplement). 17 June 2017. p. B17.