Pure Brilliance: Charting the Boodles Story in Liverpool

October 19, 2022

By Katerina Perez

5 min read

British fine jewellery brand Boodles is set to participate in an exhibition supported by National Museums Liverpool and hosted at the Lady Lever Art Gallery from October 22 to March 5, 2023. Coinciding with the Gallery’s 100th anniversary, this jewellery showcase will chart the Boodles brand story and the house’s connection to the heritage and history of Liverpool’s vibrant creative scene. Let’s find out more about what we can expect…

Front and centre will be the history of the Boodles brand and its connection to the city of Liverpool. Well before it was named the ‘Capital of Pop’, this area was a thriving artistic hub in the late 19th century and was famed for creating a market for quality jewellery and metalwork. It was here, in 1798, that the Boodles brand was born.

Boodles Firebird High Jewellery necklace set with yellow and white brilliant-cut diamonds, yellow gold and platinum

Boodles Firebird High Jewellery necklace set with yellow and white brilliant-cut diamonds, yellow gold and platinum

 Close up view of the Boodles Firebird High Jewellery necklace set with yellow and white brilliant-cut diamonds, yellow gold and platinum

Close up view of the Boodles Firebird High Jewellery necklace set with yellow and white brilliant-cut diamonds, yellow gold and platinum

 Boodles Firebird High Jewellery bangle featuring yellow and white diamonds set in platinum

Boodles Firebird High Jewellery bangle featuring yellow and white diamonds set in platinum

The exhibition will showcase Boodles’ 225-year story and demonstrate how Liverpool has helped shape its growth, from much-loved family jeweller to purveyors of some of the most stunning jewels in the world.

Boodles Lady Lever bracelet set with 7 octagonal shaped aquamarine, kunzite, yellow beryl, aquamarine, pink morganite, green beryl and kunzite gemstones, with diamond in SMO yellow gold, as well as the paintings that inspired it's design

Boodles Lady Lever bracelet set with 7 octagonal shaped aquamarine, kunzite, yellow beryl, aquamarine, pink morganite, green beryl and kunzite gemstones, with diamond in SMO yellow gold, as well as the paintings that inspired it's design

It started as a standalone family jeweller named Kirk & Co. and later became known as Boodle & Dunthorne. However, it wasn’t until 2005 that the name Boodles was adopted and introduced to the world. The Boodles Story exhibit, which has the support of National Museums Liverpool, will feature an array of important historical works from the British house, such as racing trophies and other early-years metalworks, as well as some of its most dazzling and contemporary pieces of high jewellery. One of the most impressive pieces on display will be the Boodles Just Beyond the Setting Sun cuff. It contains 81 carats of multi-coloured diamonds set in 18k white and yellow gold and is often nicknamed the ‘Wonder Woman Cuff’.

Image of the Lady Lever Gallery interior

Image of the Lady Lever Gallery interior

It can take many hours of craftsmanship to make just one piece. The ‘Just Beyond the Setting Sun’ cuff, for example, which was designed in our Liverpool Head Office, took over 400 hours of work to make at the craftsman’s bench, James Amos, Director at Boodles.

Boodles Peacock Opal High Jewellery necklace featuring an oval cut opals within diamond set tendrils and  briolette cut diamonds from the  Wonderland collection

Boodles Peacock Opal High Jewellery necklace featuring an oval cut opals within diamond set tendrils and briolette cut diamonds from the Wonderland collection

 Boodles Royal Ballet High Jewellery necklace set with marquise, pear and brilliant cut diamonds in platinum

Boodles Royal Ballet High Jewellery necklace set with marquise, pear and brilliant cut diamonds in platinum

 Boodles Greenfire High Jewellery  necklace set with diamonds, fancy cut emeralds, mounted in platinum

Boodles Greenfire High Jewellery necklace set with diamonds, fancy cut emeralds, mounted in platinum

 Boodles Poppy Meadow High Jewellery necklace set with rubies and multi-coloured diamonds in platinum, rose and yellow gold

Boodles Poppy Meadow High Jewellery necklace set with rubies and multi-coloured diamonds in platinum, rose and yellow gold

In honour of the Gallery’s 100th anniversary (which falls in December 2022), Boodles’ Head of Design, Rebecca Hawkins has created a bracelet to immortalise the brand’s involvement in the exhibit. The Lady Level bracelet is set with seven octagonal-shaped coloured gemstones. Hawkins explains: “The design is inspired by the Pre-Raphaelite paintings found in the central hall of the Gallery. The motifs between the stones are inspired by the architecture of the Gallery itself, particularly the detailing on the glass in the dome.”

A Boodles telegram dating back to 1903

A Boodles telegram dating back to 1903

Visitors will also have the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the life cycle and journey of the gemstones and metals used in Boodles’ high jewellery. From sourcing through to the design manufacturing of each piece, attendees will have a unique introduction to how the Boodles brand was created and its evolution from local family jeweller to the glamourous high-end business it is today.

Boodles Dolphin High Jewellery ring featuring a 50-ct  aquamarine, Paraiba tourmalines and diamonds, mounted in white gold, from the Wonderland collection

Boodles Dolphin High Jewellery ring featuring a 50-ct aquamarine, Paraiba tourmalines and diamonds, mounted in white gold, from the Wonderland collection

 Boodles Royal Ballet High Jewellery cuff featuring kite shape diamonds and round brilliant diamonds set in platinum

Boodles Royal Ballet High Jewellery cuff featuring kite shape diamonds and round brilliant diamonds set in platinum

 Boodles Royal Ballet High Jewellery necklace featuring a pear shaped 26-ct morganite drop pendant and round brilliant diamond set in platinum

Boodles Royal Ballet High Jewellery necklace featuring a pear shaped 26-ct morganite drop pendant and round brilliant diamond set in platinum

 Boodles Rievaulx High Jewellery bracelet featuring 12 carats of diamonds set in platinum

Boodles Rievaulx High Jewellery bracelet featuring 12 carats of diamonds set in platinum

 Boodles Rievaulx High Jewellery pendant featuring diamonds set in platinum

Boodles Rievaulx High Jewellery pendant featuring diamonds set in platinum

The Boodles Story exhibit will open at the Lady Lever Art Gallery in Liverpool on October 22, 2022, and will run during the Gallery’s 100th anniversary year until March 5, 2023. This is a show not to be missed!

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