Australian antique jewellery dealer Anne Schofield AM has made an unprecedented donation to Powerhouse.
Comprised of over 100 rare pieces of historical gemstone jewellery, this acquisition is one of the most significant donations in the museum’s history.
Schofield’s personal jewellery collection includes works created between the 17th and early 20th centuries featuring a range of gemstones and techniques.
Highlights include 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.
Schofield said she believed collectors should share their success with the community. .
"Over the past 30 years I have made many individual donations of antique and costume jewellery to the Powerhouse, to enhance the museum’s existing holdings. Many famous collections throughout the world have grown in importance as a result of private donations and bequests. I strongly believe that collectors who have enjoyed success should consider giving back to their city or country as generously as Australia has given to them," Anne Schofield AM said.
Internationally renowned for her knowledge on fine jewellery, Schofield established her 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, she loaned 70 objects for her personal collection for an exhibition in 2014.
The Anne Schofield Collection will be photographed and made available on the Powerhouse website and will be on display at Powerhouse Ultimo next year.
"Anne Schofield has extraordinary knowledge and expertise in fine jewellery. Over many years she has generously shared her knowledge with our museum and shared her collections with our audiences and communities. This transformative gift to the people of Sydney and NSW will have an impact for many generations to come," Powerhouse Trust President Peter Collins AM KC said.
Powerhouse CEO Lisa Havilah confirmed the donation is unprecedented.
"Across her incredible career, Anne Schofield has continually sought out ways to share her remarkable collections with the public. This generosity of spirit could not be clearer than in this extraordinary donation that will transform the Powerhouse collection. Jewellery is not only powerful decorative art, but a form of social history and it is our privilege to be able to share this with the community. I pass on my deep gratitude and thanks to Anne for this gift and her ongoing commitment to the Powerhouse Museum."