Library News: How far can your drawings go?

Last year the Library was lucky to photograph a citrine engagement ring and companion wedding band by the well known designer Gilian Packard alongside their original design drawing – a rare opportunity to compare a rendering with the finished piece! The rings were made in 1964 as a unique commission and their owner, who kept the signed drawing for forty six years, has now written us an account of how she commissioned them and the role the drawing played:

“Gilian made a gouache design on crisp oiled paper, which she signed. From that she made the engagement ring, modifying it very slightly for safety's sake, as the stone was large. She also made an egg-shaped wedding ring... When the rings were ready I wore the engagement ring to my office in Homes and Gardens magazine. One of the senior sub-editors exclaimed “But it's a cocktail ring!” She was a traditional diamond or nothing woman. She was wrong.”

Design drawings are often treasured by clients, and can have a long life after the commissioning process. If you would like to see examples of a wide variety of rendering types, please contact the Library on:

[t] 020 7606 7010 or email

[e] library@thegoldsmiths.co.uk