History Gems

Latest Episodes:

Pirates and the T Word: with Dr Ian Friel Oct 20, 2021

Show notes

This week Dr Nicola Tallis talks to historian, writer and maritime history expert Dr Ian Friel about pirates, their treasure (the T word), and the story and the significance of Robert Louis Stevenson's Treasure Island.

Ian is the author of several major books on maritime history, The Good Ship (1995), The British Museum Maritime History of Britain & Ireland c 400 – 2001 (2003) and Henry V’s Navy (2015) and Britain and the Ocean Road (2020), with its sequel, Breaking Seas, Broken Ships, due out in 2021. He has also written as a book of local history photographs and over 20 papers, articles and booklets on maritime history, local history and education.

Join the conversation on social media and check out images of some of the jewels discussed by visiting @historygemspod on both Twitter and Instagram.

Special 'pirate music' from Uppbeat (free for Creators!):
https://uppbeat.io/t/all-good-folks/a-seafaring-adventure
License code: 1M3GO1DWYUWPYLHD

Atelier Torbjörn Tillander: with Jenny Tillander Oct 13, 2021

Show notes

This week Dr Nicola Tallis explores one of the world's most revered jewellers - Atelier Torbjörn Tillander - with the youngest of the Tillander family - Jenny.

The firm of A. Tillander was established by Alexander Tillander in Russia in 1860. After completing a seven year apprenticeship with a master goldsmith he went to work for Carl Becks who was a supplier to the Russian Imperial court. Before long however, Alexander decided to go into business on his own and at just 23 he opened his first premises in the heart of St Petersburg.

Whilst the firm remained relatively unscathed by the Russian Revolution of 1905, the same was not true of the one that occurred in 1917. Along with many other Russian jewellery manufacturers, the firm was forced to closed and the Tillander family moved their lives and business to Helsinki. Here, in 1918 Alexander Jr. re-established A. Tillander and the firm is still in existence today and remains family owned.

Jenny has been fully involved in the family business since 2014. In 2017, she graduated as a gemmologist from the Gemological Institute of America in London. Jenny is a natural-born customer service representative who, as the youngest in the family business, also naturally ensures that Atelier Torbjörn Tillander's product range follows trends. In spring 2020, Jenny launched her first jewellery collection – Transparency by Jenny Tillander. Check out the collection here.

Join the conversation on social media and check out images of some of the jewels discussed by visiting @historygemspod on both Twitter and Instagram.

La Peregrina: with Valerie Schutte Oct 06, 2021

Show notes

This week Nicola is joined by author and historian Valerie Schutte to explore the history of one of the world's most famous pearls - La Peregrina, which was worn by kings and queens in paintings and apparently eaten by Elizabeth Taylor's puppy!

Valerie Schutte earned her PhD in History from the University of Akron. She is author or editor of six books on Queen Mary I, unexpected heirs, and queens in Shakespeare. She has also published several journal articles and book chapters on Queen Mary I, royal Tudor women, history of the book, and book dedications.

Her research interests include Queen Mary I, Tudor queens, book dedications, Princess Elizabeth, and books related to Tudor kings. You can find out more about her work here - Valerie Schutte – Read about the work of historian Valerie Schutte (tudorqueenship.com).

Join the conversation on social media and check out images of La Peregrina by visiting @historygemspod on both Twitter and Instagram.

Bridgerton: with Carol Woolton Sep 29, 2021

Show notes

In the latest episode of History Gems, Dr Nicola Tallis is joined by writer and one of Britain’s leading authority on jewellery and gemstones, Carol Woolton, to discuss the jewellery in the Netflix series Bridgerton.

According to Carol, "parallels can be drawn between the uncertain times which influenced Regency sparkle on the hit TV series, and the jewel-loaded runways for spring/summer 2021 during our Covid era." Listen and make up your own mind!

Carol Woolton is Britain’s leading authority on jewellery and gemstones and has entertained and informed the readers of British Vogue and Tatler as Jewellery Editor for more than 25 years. She is a writer, lecturer, historian, editor, curator, stylist, and author of five books on the fascinating subject of jewellery. She has contributed widely to magazines, newspapers and online supplements around the world including the Financial Times, Vogue China, Vanity Fair, Air Mail, American Vogue, Tatler and the Daily Telegraph.

Read Carol's take on the jewellery in Bridgerton in Vogue here.

Join the conversation on social media and check out some of the items discussed in this episode by visiting @historygemspod on both Twitter and Instagram.

Marie Antoinette: with Dr Carolyn Harris Sep 15, 2021

Show notes

In the latest episode of History Gems Dr Nicola Tallis delves into the fascinating story of French queen Marie Antoinette with royal historian and author Dr Carolyn Harris.

Dr Carolyn Harris is a historian, author and royal commentator based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. She is the author of Magna Carta and Its Gifts to Canada: Democracy, Law, and Human Rights and Queenship and Revolution in Early Modern Europe: Henrietta Maria and Marie Antoinette. Her 3rd book, Raising Royalty: 1000 Years of Royal Parenting was published in 2017. She is a co-editor of the English Consorts, Power, Influence, Dynasty series, which will be published in 2022.

You can find out more about her work here.

Join the conversation on social media and check out some of the items discussed in this episode by visiting @historygemspod on both Twitter and Instagram.

Girls in Pearls: with Sue Prichard Jun 02, 2021

Show notes

In the latest episode of History Gems Dr Nicola Tallis delves into the history of pearls with Sue Prichard, Senior Curator of Arts at the National Maritime Museum, in Greenwich.

Nicola and Sue also discuss the new Tudors to Windsors exhibition at the musuem, which includes over 150 of the finest portraits from across five royal dynasties. Discover how royal portraiture has developed over the last five centuries, from Henry VII to Elizabeth II.

You can book tickets for the exhibition or find out more information here.

Join the conversation on social media and check out some of the items discussed in this episode by visiting @historygemspod on both Twitter and Instagram.

The House of Kutchinsky: with Serena Kutchinsky May 26, 2021

Show notes

Historian and author Dr Nicola Tallis explores the astonishing story of the House of Kutchinsky, from its modest beginnings in the East End of London to becoming a Post-World War II jewellery powerhouse that became internationally renowned.

And her guide is none other than journalist Serena Kutchinsky, whose father, Paul Kutchinsky, created the world’s largest jewelled egg – one that would rival Fabergé’s.

Join the conversation on social media by visiting @historygemspod on both Twitter and Instagram - and check out @house_of_kutchinsky and @Skutchinsky for more information about the jewellery discussed and Serena's upcoming book.

Queen Christina of Sweden: with Amy Saunders May 12, 2021

Show notes

Historian and author Dr Nicola Tallis delves into the history of one of the 17th century's most fascinating characters, Queen Christina of Sweden, and explores the story of her crown and how she lost it!

Nicola is joined by Amy Saunders, who's studying for her PhD at the Uni of Winchester and specialises in 17th century gender, sexuality and the monarchy.

Join the conversation on social media and find images of the jewels and items discussed by visiting @historygemspod on both Twitter and Instagram.

Nazi Gold: with Callum McKelvie May 05, 2021

Show notes

Historian and author Dr Nicola Tallis explores the topic of Nazi gold - what it is, where it came from and where it might be now - with Callum McKelvie, the Features Editor at All About History Magazine.

Callum has researched and written extensively about Nazi gold and he tells Nicola how the gold, as well as precious stones and art work, was collected by the Nazis as part of Aryanization, the forced expulsion of Jews from business life in Nazi Germany, Axis-aligned states, and their occupied territories.

It entailed the transfer of Jewish property into "Aryan" hands.

Join the conversation on social media and find images of the jewels and items discussed by visiting @historygemspod on both Twitter and Instagram.

Jane Austen: with Sophie Reynolds Apr 28, 2021

Show notes

Historian and author Dr Nicola Tallis explores the incredible story of one of the world's most famous authors, Jane Austen, in the company of Sophie Reynolds, the Collections and Interpretations Manager at Jane Austen House, in Hampshire.

Find out more about the incredible work of Jane Austen and Jane Austen's House, which is found in the village of Chawton, here.

Join the conversation on social media and find images of the jewels and items discussed by visiting @historygemspod on both Twitter and Instagram.

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