The Friends begin their day with an exclusive tour of this iconic store accompanied by archivist Louise Woof.

Fortnum & Mason and Art Deco Jewellery.

Fortnum & Mason, Piccadilly, London, WIA 1ER.

Tuesday 13th October at 11am.

Cost: £30; Guest price £35.

The Friends begin their day with an exclusive tour of this iconic store accompanied by archivist Louise Woof. Ever since the Piccadilly store opened its doors in 1707, it has remained the beating heart of Fortnum’s and a must go-to destination in London. Founded by William Fortnum and Hugh Mason, they originally started life selling Queen Anne’s leftover candles.

From then on, the story has been marked by endless innovation and playing a part in history, from inventing the Scotch Egg to supplying hampers to the Suffragettes, fuelling the intrepid explorers who scaled Mount Everest in 1922 and putting beehives on the roof.

Today, the emporium now boasts five floors of extraordinary things to see, taste, and do. This day will be full of beautiful, interesting, and rare items with plenty of history along the way.

After a lunch break or a quick trip to the Royal Academy we meet again just across the road in Piccadilly Arcade where we will visit the shop of specialist Art Deco dealer Matthew Foster.

Matthew will be holding a selling exhibition entitled Dinandier-Orfèvre-Bijoutière featuring the work of five principal artisans, all of whom designed and created both Objets d’Art and jewels in Paris from 1910 to 1940.

I know this will be a fascinating exhibition the group will learn more from Matthew about this important period in the history of jewellery design.

Images: Courtesy of Fortnum & Mason and Matthew Foster.

Description supplied by the event organiser.