Story Highlight
– Nicky Wade launched exclusive collections for British Museum exhibition.
– Designs inspired by 11th Century historical jewellery pieces.
– Limited edition pieces include silver and 24ct vermeil designs.
– Handcrafted using traditional techniques in Wade’s workshop.
– Wade reflects on her journey from antique fairs to display.
Full Story
Nicky Wade, the creator behind Gemmeus Historical Jewellery, has launched two unique collections designed specifically for the pop-up shop of the British Museum’s Bayeux Tapestry exhibition.
These collections are inspired by historical metalwork and ornamentation from the late Anglo-Saxon and Norman eras. A prominent influence comes from the Aedwen Brooch, an 11th-century item in the British Museum’s collection. Its intricate serpent motif and geometric patterns served as the foundation for a series of sterling silver items, which include a brooch that can also function as a pendant, earrings, and a lozenge-shaped pendant.
The second collection takes cues from an 11th-century Italian filigree and granulation mantel brooch housed at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York. This set features jewellery crafted from sterling silver and 24-carat vermeil, showcasing filigree work, granulation, and the inclusion of lapis lazuli.
All items have been meticulously hand-crafted by Wade in her workshop, utilizing a range of traditional techniques such as sawing, hand-punching, filing, filigree, granulation, and meticulous hand-finishing. These exclusive pieces are available only at the British Museum’s exhibition, not through the Gemmeus website, and are produced in limited quantities.
Wade established Gemmeus Historical Jewellery in 2007, driven by her passion for historical craftsmanship, which she cultivated through antique fairs and historical re-enactments. Over the years, her work has gained recognition at various events, including London Jewellery Week and the Chatsworth Country Show, and has been commissioned for notable productions like the BBC’s *Wolf Hall*. She has also produced replicas for institutions such as the National Trust and English Heritage.
In 2020, Wade achieved her Gem-A Foundation Certificate and Gemmology Diploma, further solidifying her credentials in the field.
Reflecting on her journey, Wade remarked, “With King Charles, Queen Camilla and President Macron having visited the British Museum on 2 September 2026, it’s extraordinary to think that my work, born from antique fairs, Kentwell Hall, and a Monday night class, will be part of the story surrounding one of the most important medieval artefacts in Europe.” She expressed excitement about sharing insights into her creative process, stating, “Over the coming months, I’ll be sharing a behind‑the‑scenes video showing how I make these pieces: the tools, the techniques, the research and the quiet satisfaction of turning sheet silver into something that echoes the past. Gemmeus began as an acorn of an idea. The Bayeux Tapestry exhibition feels like one of its strongest branches yet.”
