Do men wear jewellery? Should men wear jewellery? In this talk, V&A curator Rachel Church will look at the history of male jewellery and how ideas about appropriate jewellery have changed through time. From the glittering chains and jewels of the middle ages, to the diamond rings worn by 18th and 19th century men, to the rediscovery of jewellery by stylish contemporary men, this talk will look at how ideas of male adornment have intersected with class to create the changing image of the jewelled man.

Rachel Church has written and lectured widely on jewellery history and design. She is the author of 'Rings' (V&A/ Thames and Hudson 2011 and 2017) and 'Brooches and Badges' (V&A/ Thames and Hudson 2019). She has worked as a curator at the Victoria and Albert Museum and was part of the team which redeveloped the William and Judith Bollinger Jewellery Gallery.

WANT TO LEARN MORE? YOU'LL LOVE RACHEL'S BOOKS

From medieval pilgrim badges and Renaissance hat decorations to jewelled brooches and twentieth-century political pins, brooches and badges are often more than practical or decorative dress fasteners; they are expressions of identity. Focusing on the V&A(1)s world-famous collection, Brooches & Badges explores the evolution of these intricate and versatile works of art, and the way in which changes in dress have dictated their use.

Rings are perhaps the most common and yet the most evocative pieces of jewellery. Worn as a sign of love or as a fashion accessory, to mark weddings, remember the dead, or show religious faith, rings hold a multitude of meanings. From simple medieval hoops worn to ward off disease, to the glamorous 'rocks' worn by Hollywood starlets, to the stunning works of art created by contemporary artist jewellers, this book offers readers a beautifully illustrated introduction to rings.