A historic piece of jewellery from our collection has been successfully recovered and is returning to public display after more than a decade.
We were contacted recently by a member of the public. Their research showed that the necklace was an item from the museum.
Following verification, the necklace has now been returned to the museum’s collection.
The piece, crafted in silver, enamel, and turquoise, holds significant local and historical value. It was originally a gift to a resident of Chipping Campden in 1913, when she was a bridesmaid to her aunt. While it is not definitively known whether the necklace was made specifically for that occasion by George Hart of Hart Silversmiths or was selected from existing stock, its origins are closely tied to the celebrated Arts and Crafts movement in the area.
Hart Silversmiths has been based in Chipping Campden since 1902. George Hart was originally part of C.R. Ashbee’s Guild of Handicraft and moved with the Guild from London to Chipping Campden in 1902. Harts Silversmiths remains active in the town today and retains an archive of design drawings, including an undated design attributed to C.R. Ashbee that may relate to the recovered piece.
Curator Sarah McCormick Healy said:
“We are delighted that this piece of Campden’s history has found its way back to the museum in the same state that it was in when it left. The provenance of this necklace means a great deal to us. It is more than a piece of exquisite jewellery produced by the Harts: It has a deeply rooted local connection.”
The necklace is currently on display
The necklace was purchased for the museum by The Friends of Court Barn
