From the Collection of a Lady: A Personal History, Engraved.

​In October. at the 35 Year Celebration of our very own Dutch Master, one very special guest who has been a customer for almost as long was in attendance. So special in fact, an engraving style has been named after her!

If you're reading this far, you probably have more than a passing interest in beauty, art, and the finer things in life, and hand engraving is definitely one of those things that makes the objects we live with better, more personal and more imbued with family history.

Once an item is purchased at LJ Lewis Silver Company for hand engraving, the selection of an engraving style from John Franciscus' style book is the next step. One particularly beautiful script is named "Sabrina" after our long time customer. 

Sabrina's personal collection began, like many do, with a simple project:
a silver disk pendant with her three initials: S < C > D

​Soon, she was completely enamored.
She knew she was on to something very special. . .
and different.
A connection had been made between the collector
​and the artist.
She could immediately sense that the engraving was a labor of love.
​That the hands of the craftsman were very much connected with his heart and soul and this spoke to her.
​She needed only to find the pieces to be hand engraved.

Sabrina finds the ambiguity of a monogram intriguing and this was accomplished by adding ribbons and flourishes and with the very Southern directive to "fancy it up." John Franciscus did not disappoint. And the JF 6 was born. Or what is better known to a growing and appreciative audience as the “Sabrina” engraving style. ​

Covetable.
​That's the first word that might come to mind when you see this large silver belt buckle. The classically referenced frame was the perfect surround for the Sabrina monogram. Both "ribbony and floral," the feminine quality is indisputable.

​"His work makes me feel happy every time I look at it.”

Her wide silver cuffs take her from the office to after five events. Some are flat, contemporary and simply tailored, others are more voluminous. All of them are worn regularly. She's grown accustomed to even their distinctive sound as they hit her desk. Each piece has the patina to show that they are loved and lived in and have the "character marks" to prove it.

​Sabrina told me that for her “the engraving represents a long wonderful journey,” and her collection has grown organically. Each piece is a kind of milestone or in some cases a monument: special occasions and achievements given their due, people and places celebrated.

Naturally, hand engraving  became one of Sabrina's signature gifts, truly communicating how much she cares about someone and their journey. The neck torque pictured to the right is a wonderful example. Both she and her mother have one, and it provides an instantly recognizable signature look for both of them and a timeless bond between mother and daughter.

Hand engraving is the opposite of ephemera—the opposite of instant gratification and fast fashion—which is part of the appeal. At it’s core, it’s an unchanged art form in a fast changing world, and because of this,
​Sabrina was quick to tell me it requires patience and that every piece has been worth the wait. ​

“The engraving represents a long wonderful journey.”

Choosing a favorite piece would be akin to choosing a favorite child. . . impossible! But the piece that is probably the biggest conversation starter is an Elsa Peretti "Saddle Clutch" by Tiffany & Co. that her husband, a fabulously talented gift giver, gave her to celebrate a special occasion. At this point, Sabrina has trained her eye to see expanses of silver as blank palettes and this one was worthy of a very special monogram. To make it even more special, she and her husband met with John and Lana together to discuss the creative process and at one point, her husband secretly whispered a private message that he wanted engraved on it. John and Lana happily obliged making an extraordinary and iconic design deeply personal. ​

​The Sabrina Collection will be in the store until the end of August. To be able to touch and hold so many pieces in one collection is an inestimable treat. Besides, we know you want to know what her husband whispered in John’s ear, forever captured on silver and in her heart.

Thank you, Sabrina! For sharing your collection and so many wonderful details and stories with us.

Sabrina and "the gift giver."