Since early times, natural materials – wool, grass, leather – have been used to create symbolic finger knots denoting unity. As ancient symbolism for partnership goes, few motifs resonate as powerfully, whether in love, comradeship or political union.
Considering the gold ring, a refined form of the early love knot, and the jewel that typically represents togetherness in the Western world, the 2019 Wallpaper* Handmade ‘love’ theme presented an opportunity to explore the global origins of early knots. The range of cultural references in Jefford’s designs made her stand out as our jeweller collaborator of choice, while the rich leather palette Smythson is famed for led us to the heritage British leather house. Here we present their unique series of five gold rings inspired by the ties that bind us all.
Alexandra Jefford
We’re big fans of jeweller and artist Alexandra Jefford’s art-theory inspired precious pieces. From her ‘O’ series, featuring a Josef Albers font-inspired ring collection, to solo exhibitions where her jewellery informs wider, sculptural works, a constant interplay of art, craft and architectural discipline weaves deftly through her designs. The London-based jeweller is driven by the notion of creating an accessible art form, while staying true to her roots in fine art. Jefford works mainly on a commission-only basis from her studio in Soho, London.
Smythson
The British leather goods house famed for its lightweight, bound portable diaries, handbags and personalized pale-blue stationery has, in its 130 years, become one of the great names of British craft tradition. A natural product designer, its founder Frank Smythson made his name in 1908 with a leather-bound diary so pliable it could be “squashed, folded or rolled up without becoming marked or misshapen, fitting into a gent’s breast pocket without causing the least disfigurement’. Today, newly appointed creative director Luc Goidadin is gearing up to explore Smythson’s colourful heritage through the prism of a keen, contemporary vision.
Jeweller Alexandra Jefford's sketches for the yellow-gold 'Neverending Knot', celebrating lasting unions
The thinking behind the gold and leather 'To-Do Knot' – or quipu – design is illustrated in Alexandra Jefford's original sketch
INFORMATION
-
Highlights from the transporting Cruise 2026 showsThe Cruise 2026 season began yesterday with a Chanel show at Lake Como, heralding the start of a series of jet-setting, destination runway shows from fashion’s biggest houses
-
Behind the design of national pavilions in Venice: three studios to knowDesigning the British, Swiss and Mexican national pavilions at the Venice Architecture Biennale 2025 are three outstanding studios to know before you go
-
Premium patisserie Naya is Mayfair’s latest sweet spotHeritage meets opulence at Naya bakery in Mayfair, London. With interiors by India Hicks and Anna Goulandris, the patisserie looks good enough to eat
-
Art takes London: Tiffany & Co, Damien Hirst and artists take over Selfridges' windowsFour British contemporary artists celebrate Tiffany & Co's pioneering history with a series of storied window displays
-
Late summer jewels: what to wear at Golden HourLate summer signals a jewellery style-shift. These independent designers have got it covered
-
All smiles: How a grillz jewellery making class in London became an international hitWhat started as a passion project quickly exploded in popularity. We get the story behind the grillz-making workshop at Cockpit London
-
Emerging jewellery designers to get to knowThese independent, new and emerging jewellery designers and brands from New York to Paris are firmly on our radar
-
Jewellery designers share their most precious personal piecesA host of jewellers give us a peek at the jewellery which brings them joy and solace
-
Playing it cool: pearls are having a momentWe've been deep-diving into boutiques around the world to find the very best calcium carbonate in minute crystalline form. It seems jewellers have been busy rethinking pearls, with contemporary (and often affordable) results
-
Eternity rings for the modern coupleEternity rings, whether sleekly minimalist or sprinkled in diamonds, can be a chic and contemporary love token
-
Completedworks turns its reductionist vision to bagsBritish jewellery and homeware brand Completedworks’ Anna Jewsbury puts handbags under her sculptural lens
