Light Through the Ages...
The Sunderland Collection x GRIMA
Presenting the first collaboration between the Sunderland Collection and GRIMA: a limited edition collection comprising a magnifier, a ring and a pair of earrings.
Pairing GRIMA’s iconic design ethos with The Sunderland Collection’s extraordinary cartographical treasures, the jewels crafted for Light Through The Ages... were inspired by crenelated medieval towns, celestial spheres - and the magnifiers used to examine maps and the stars. This collection celebrates heritage craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Images © Simon Melber / Francesca Grima
© Simon Melber
THE INSPIRATION
Francesca Grima, daughter of the pioneering designer Andrew Grima, has designed the collection of hand-crafted jewels inspired by The Sunderland Collection and her father’s legacy. Honouring the iconic GRIMA look, the pieces are hand crafted in yellow gold, rock crystal and mother of pearl.
The starting point for the collection was the magnifier. Made from clear, hand-carved rock crystal and yellow gold, it has a natural association with map-reading and makes a visual reference to The Sunderland Collection’s 15th and 16th century maps, as well as crenellated Medieval town walls. Building on this concept, the ring and earrings are lined with mother of pearl, which reflects light and lends a mysterious opaque quality.
Drawing of Vence by Andrew Grima. © Francesca Grima
From The Sunderland Collection, the City of Nuremberg and the City of Basel from Hartmann Schedel's "Nuremberg Chronicle" (1493)
THE COLLECTION
A stunning magnifier is the core of the Light Through the Ages collection.
Magnifiers have long been associated with maps and charts, illuminating the myriad placenames, flora and fauna, seas, and stars that can be found on them.
An exceptional, timeless piece, the magnifier is made from rock crystal and textured 18 carat gold. Iconic GRIMA design inspired by old maps and crenelated town views.
As part of the series, a handsome ring and a pair of heirloom earrings are also available, each individually hand-crafted to order from rock crystal, mother of pearl, and textured yellow gold.
POA
To order, please contact arts@sunderland-collection.com.
To view the full Sunderland Collection x GRIMA collaboration, visit our shop.
ABOUT GRIMA
Andrew Grima’s influential designs changed the way people perceived jewellery not just in Britain, but around the globe. Entirely self-taught, Andrew joined his father-in-law’s jewellery manufacturing business in 1946 and went on to become the only jeweller to be awarded the Duke of Edinburgh's Prize for Elegant Design.
© Francesca Grima
His contribution to British exports was recognised with The Queen’s Award to Industry in its inaugural year. He won the De Beers Diamonds International Award a record 11 times and his work is held in the collections of the Victoria & Albert Museum and the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths.
Since Andrew’s death in 2007, his wife Jojo and daughter Francesca have continued to create a limited collection of 20 to 30 highly original, handmade pieces each year.
Find out more at grimajewellery.com
© Haych Digital
THE COLLABORATION
This is our first ever collaboration with a heritage collection. We were immediately fascinated by The Sunderland Collection as its items reflect our love of beauty, originality and handcrafted design. The age and mystery of the maps inspired us, and we found their symbolic imagery and abstract elements aligned very naturally with our vision for modern jewellery.
-Francesca Grima
The craftsmanship, quality, and attention to detail that is the hallmark of the brand dovetails with the way that beautiful old maps were made and appreciated, and resonates with our collecting criteria. These are heirloom pieces with a deep respect for past practice, but at the same time fresh and contemporary.
-Helen Sunderland-Cohen
