Four Generations of Master Jewellers

'The jewellery trade has been in my family for more than a century', says Robert Ogden who runs Richard Ogden, the traditional English jewellers.

Jewellery has been the lifeblood of the Ogden family for four generations. James R. Ogden opened the first Ogden jewellery shop in 1893. A master jeweller and watch specialist, he fast grew popular with illustrious clients who visited during the Harrogate Season. In his spare time James corresponded with two of the then leading figures of international archaeology, Howard Carter and Sir Leonard Woolley. He helped restore various ancient gold objects, which now contribute to treasured collections in museums across Europe and America, and became 'Advising Goldsmith to the British Museum'.

In 1925, James’s eldest son William opened a shop in King Street, St James’s, London. William had a taste for what he called important pieces – pieces with a family or dynastic history. Many of them came from royals or were sold to royals and included Queen Isabella of Spain’s black pearls and the emerald necklace of the Empress Eugenie. According to a 1930s portrait published by The Bystander, featured right, he was 'more discreet than any banker' – the so-called important pieces mostly changed hands in the oak-panelled private rooms over his shop in King Street.

William's only son Richard continued the family tradition of dealing in fine antique jewellery after his return from the Far East in 1946. He quickly gained international renown and a client list which included such legends as Charlie Chaplin, Cary Grant, Ringo Starr, Ingrid Bergman and, more recently, Madonna.