A Fine Possession: Jewellery and Identity
‘I think its a basic human need to adorn oneself.’
In 2022, Powerhouse received an unprecedented gift from Australia’s leading antique jewellery dealer, Anne Schofield AM. Comprised of over 100 rare pieces of historical gemstone jewellery, this acquisition is one of the most significant donations in the museum’s history.
Anne Schofield’s personal jewellery collection includes works created between the 17th and early 20th centuries featuring an astonishing range of gemstones and techniques. Highlights from the Anne Schofield Collection include exquisitely crafted archaeological jewellery, 18th century hardstone intaglios, Carlo Giuliano earrings, an Egyptian-style lapis lazuli demi-parure, Art Nouveau dragonfly and wasp pedants, Cartier and Georg Jensen pieces and a French demi-parure with onyx cameos from 1820.
Internationally renowned for her knowledge and passion for fine jewellery, Ms Schofield established her legendary boutique Anne Schofield Antiques in Woollahra in 1970. It was the first successful business in Australia to specialise in antique jewellery. A long-standing donor and supporter of the Powerhouse as Life Fellow and honorary adviser for jewellery, in 2014 she generously lent 70 significant objects from her personal collection to the award-winning exhibition, A Fine Possession: Jewellery and Identity.
During her formative years in London in the early 1960s, Anne became passionate about the decorative arts with a focus on costume and, eventually, antique jewellery. In 1970 she established Anne Schofield Antiques on Queen Street Woollahra. In 2003 Anne was appointed a Member of the General Division of the Order of Australia AM for her services to the performing arts and to the decorative arts, particularly antiques, as an author and consultant. Anne is a member of the international Society of Jewellery Historians, a Life Fellow of the Powerhouse Museum, a member of the Australian Art and Antique Dealers Association (AAADA), and co-author with Kevin Fahy of the seminal book Australian Jewellery: 19th and Early 20th century.
‘I started collecting jewellery way back in the early sixties when I was presented with a very beautiful antique ring by Leo Schofield.’
‘The eye ring is perhaps the most unusual item in the collection...these eye miniatures are extremely rare and they became fashionable in the late 18th Century.’
‘When I choose items for my personal collection I’m particularly interested in the design of the piece, the rarity of the piece, the interesting materials that were used, the special techniques that were used and most of all, the beauty of the piece is the most important thing.’
