Drayson, a superb Art Deco emerald and diamond bracelet, London, circa 1940, of geometric design,

Drayson, a superb Art Deco emerald and diamond bracelet, London, circa 1940, of geometric design, centring on a stylised buckle motif to a tapering bracelet and geometric clasp, set with calibré- and circular-cut emeralds and circular-cut, baguette and tapered baguette diamonds, mounted in platinum, length 18cm, signed Drayson, case

Drayson were a London-based family firm, and one of a very limited number of London jewellers whose Art Deco jewels truly rivalled the quality and style of their French competitors. Founded in 1936 by Keith Cecil Drayson as Cecil Drayson Ltd., the family was already deeply involved with the jewellery trade, and had been prominent dealers of antique jewellery and gemstones since the opening years of the 20th century. While Drayson jewels are rarely seen in general, the striking geometric design of this bracelet, with its array of sparkling circular and baguette diamonds dramatically crossed through by a line of deep green emeralds, appears to have been a favourite of the company's designers in the late 1930s, with a small group of other examples known, predominantly set with rubies and sapphires. The present bracelet however, is particularly lavish, with large circular-cut emeralds and diamonds taking the place of the channel-set calibré-cut stones more commonly used in these extraordinary bracelets. While Drayson's jewels are memorably stylish and beautifully made, the company's heyday was relatively brief - the firm did not outlive its founder, and was purchased by rivals SJ Rood after Drayson's death in 1963, marking the end of this illustrious London jeweller, whose designs rank among the best of British Art Deco jewels.