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|Objects| A 10.3cm Henn of London objet d’art carved from a rare Brazilian aquamarine Carving a Legacy PHOTO JÜRGEN CULLMANN/LICHTBLICK FOTODESIGN Emerging from a German town with a rich history, Henn of London is a family-run jeweller pairing a unique creative approach with traditional artisanship. By Elisa Vallata U nless you are a dyed-in-the-wool jewellery connoisseur, chances are that you will not have heard of Idar-Oberstein. But peel back the German town’s picturesque façade – an architectural medley ranging from medieval to Jugendstil, set along the river Nahe not far from Frankfurt – and you’ll find one of the leading gem-cutting and gem-trading centres in the world. The town had, starting in the late 15th century, benefited from its subterranean riches, which included precious stone deposits of agate, jasper and amethyst. This geological bounty, coupled with the town’s proximity to the river, which powered the local mills, helped transform the town into a thriving artisanal hub, populated by miners, gemstone cutters, polishers and carvers from far and wide. Today, the pretty town still boasts an unparalleled concentration of skills, passed down for generations. CENTURION-MAGAZINE.COM 27
