Invest In: The Love Pendulum Pendant By Cece Jewellery

“I’ve always been drawn to the symbolism found in fairytales and folklore,” says Cecilia Fein-Hughes, the artist and designer behind Cece Jewellery, known for its exquisite miniature paintings on signet rings, pendants, earrings , charms and bracelets. “In particular, where the stories revolve around the bewitching nature of love; the trials and tribulations, the heartbreak and the happiness, the light & the dark.” And drawing on history and legend, Cece’s signature tattoo-style illustrations have a lot to say.

From a family of artists, Cece grew up in wild moorland near the coast in South-West England, listening to bedtime stories from her deep sea diver father. She became fascinated with his tales of the deep, illustrated by his tattoos, and went on to study art and design, always coming back to the idea of beauty with meaning; storytelling through art. When she found a Renaissance gold band in London’s Victoria & Albert Museum, enameled with tiny flowers and engraved with a declaration of love, she knew she had found her medium.

Today, Cece’s original watercolor paintings are transformed into miniature works of art by a master enameler, using the historic art of champlevé enamel, which combines engraving and carving, with painting. Goldsmiths in London’s Hatton Garden jewelry district craft her jewelry from recycled 18kt gold and ethically sourced stones, in what Cece describes as the modern alchemy of storytelling.

Her most ambitious piece to date, the Love Pendumum hangs from a star-set diamond horseshoe next to a heart charm, and is packed with symbolism drawn from British folklore. Herbs and flowers used in traditional love potions surround a pair of embracing skeletons, who represent the eternity of love, as the trunk of a tree. But temptation is never far, in the form of the green snake at their feet. Red rubies symbolise desire and a blue sapphire becomes the Evil Eye in a raven’s beak, engraved with a love spell on the back, in a poetic piece, loaded with meaning.

What drew you in particular to the theme of love?

Our Love Pendulum, from The Traveller’s Tale Collection, contains lots of hidden messages and meaning all to do with love, such as a juicy red apple and miniature enamel snake winding its way around the two lover skeletons acting as the constant reminder of temptation, or an ancient love spell engraved in a never-ending circle on the back.

As ever with your work, the symbolism here is rich and varied. How does this jewel tap into British folklore?

All the hand-painted floral elements enamelled on our Love Pendulum and Traveller’s Tale ring can be found in the wild English countryside. From Primrose to Elderberry, Camomile, and Rosemary, they are not only beautiful but also used as ingredients found in potent love potions and remedies from ancient British folklore.

Tell me a little about how your pieces are produced, from your sketches to final execution.

Starting with a colourful moodboard, our designs are first realised in watercolour & paper. This is then sent to our enameler’s studio here in London where he magically recreates the artwork in miniature. The finishing touches are all applied in Hatton Garden and then brought back to our office, where we all squeal with delight at how beautiful the finished piece looks!

Who would you like to see wearing this piece?

I would have LOVED to have seen the Queen wearing a bespoke Pup Portrait with all her corgis… But if we’re going for someone alive, then Queen B!

Where do you see yourself taking your practice from here?

With regards to scale and price point, this collection is the largest to date. We have a really exciting Capsule Collection coming up in September, which involves all things ribbons.

Cece Jewellery is available on Cece Jewellery.com or at Twist in Portland, Oregan, Liberty London, Goop and Net-a-Porter.