Catherine The Great; The Worlds Greatest Collector

Catherine The Great; The Worlds Greatest Collector
by Andrew Prince

In 1745, Princess Sophie of Anhalt-Zerbst married the heir to the Russian throne—and just 17 years later, she seized power and became Empress Catherine the Great. With vast wealth and grand ambition, she transformed her court into one of the most dazzling in Europe, commissioning masterpieces in art, architecture, and jewellery.

Her extraordinary legacy forms the heart of the Hermitage Museum. In this captivating talk, Andrew takes you inside her glittering world—exploring what was created, what was lost, and the passions that still echo through history.

ABOUT THE LECTURER

Andrew Prince’s passion for jewellery began in childhood—famously swallowing one of his mother’s pearl earrings at age three after sneaking into her jewellery box. His first creations included a copper wire ring (which turned his grandmother’s finger green) and a necklace made from beads taken off his mother’s wedding dress. A visit to the Princely Magnificence exhibition at the V&A at age nine was a turning point, sparking a lifelong fascination with historic jewellery.

By 16, he was working on Bond Street with Antiques Roadshow expert Ian Harris, and later joined renowned jeweller Elizabeth Gage, gaining hands-on experience with extraordinary stones like Sphene and Spinel. Andrew developed a love for fine costume jewellery, realising beauty lies in craftsmanship and design rather than expense. His distinctive pieces have been worn by Michael Jackson and Shirley Bassey, and in 2002, the V&A commissioned his work for its Tiaras exhibition.

His jewellery went on to feature in Mrs Henderson Presents, The Young Victoria, and Downton Abbey, where his elegant designs adorned stars including Maggie Smith and Michelle Dockery.