Renowned for its austere architectural settings and use of unconventional materials, German jewellery house Hemmerle will be displaying 60 of its new creations at the Serpentine Gallery, from bowls fashioned in jasper and rock crystal to jewellery that combines gem stones with base metals.
Although Munich’s first family of jewellery is now notorious for its pioneering designs, Hemmerle’s history is anchored in a more traditional past. In 1893 brothers Joseph and Anton Hemmerle bought a company manufacturing medals for Bavarian Royalty, which they then expanded into a silversmiths. But it wasn’t until third generation jewellers Stefan and Franz took the reigns that Hemmerle began to develop the comprehensive jewellery collection for which it is now famed.
Since becoming the sole owner in 1995, Stefan has been the creative driving force behind Hemmerle, forging the company’s signature avant-garde aesthetic. Stefan’s first foray into haute joaillerie arose when a prominent Munich art collector commissioned a ring that drew upon the 19th-century style of Berlin iron. The diamond and iron ring design the jeweller produced was so well received that he began experimenting with common metals and precious stones as a new concept for the company.
Drawing inspiration from nature, the Bauhaus and functionality, Hemmerle has since become a master of unorthodox designs, now undertaking an estimated 230 individual commissions a year, each piece being hand crafted in its Munich atelier.
With an air of individuality – as seen in its iron and diamond Samurai warrior brooch, whose body is carved from the milky coloured Tagua nut – the pieces are both instantly recognisable and highly sought-after among jewellery connoisseurs and simple aesthetes alike.
INFORMATION
The Hemmerle presentation at the Serpentine Gallery will be running from November 19th - 22nd.
- Website
- http://www.hemmerle.de
- Telephone
- 44.207 402 6075
- Address
- Serpentine Gallery
Kensington Gardens
London W2 3XA
