{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O1818152"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O1818152/"}},"images":null,"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O1818152","accessionNumber":"S.1536-2026","objectType":"Necklace","titles":[{"title":"Necklace worn by Vivien Leigh in <i>That Hamilton Woman</i>","type":"generic title"}],"summaryDescription":"Necklace with pendant 'N', costume jewellery by Joseff of Hollywood, worn by Vivien Leigh as Emma Hamilton in <i>That Hamilton Woman</i>, 1941.\n\n<i>That Hamilton Woman</i> starred Laurence Olivier and Vivien Leigh at the height of their fame as Horatio Nelson and Emma Hamilton. The adulterous onscreen love story echoed their own early relationship and was the last of three films the couple appeared in together. The film was made in Hollywood by the Hungarian-born, British film producer and director Alexander Korda (1893-1956). The narrative, set against the Napoleonic wars, was intended to reflect the situation of Britain during the Second World War and act as propaganda to encourage support for American involvement in the conflict. It was among a group of films, including Charlie Chaplin’s <i>The Great Dictator</i> (1940) and Alfred Hitchcock’s <i>Foreign Correspondent</i> (1940), that mobilised the power of cinema to influence public opinion and political action. It is credited as Winston Churchill’s favourite film and was screened repeatedly on board the HMS Prince of Wales during the Atlantic Conference in 1941.\n\nThe jewellery is key to the plot. Worn by Leigh as Emma Hamilton, the ‘N’ on both the necklace and brooch (S.1537-2026) stand for Nelson and demonstrate her brazen public display of their relationship, despite being married to Sir William Hamilton. The costume jewels were made by Joseff of Hollywood, the primary supplier during the so-called Golden Age of Hollywood, who also provided jewellery for Leigh in<i> Gone With the Wind </i>(1939), and other leading actresses of the period, including Marilyn Monroe’s for ‘Diamonds Are a Girl’s Best Friend’ in <i>Gentlemen Prefer Blondes</i> (1953). Joseff’s specialised in semi-matte finishes to prevent glare on camera and these are therefore interesting performance objects as jewels specifically not to sparkle. Following the US entry into the Second World War, Joseff of Hollywood itself would be impacted as the factory casting line was adapted and used to make aerospace parts for the US Military.","physicalDescription":"","artistMakerPerson":[],"artistMakerOrganisations":[{"name":{"text":"Joseff of Hollywood","id":"AUTH414272"},"association":{"text":"designed and made","id":"x28674"},"note":""}],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"Silver-plated","id":"x38860"},{"text":"Paste (glass)","id":"AAT10803"}],"techniques":[{"text":"Plating","id":"AAT53991"}],"materialsAndTechniques":"Simulated diamonds in silver-plated mounts","categories":[{"text":"Entertainment and leisure","id":"THES48959"},{"text":"Film and cinema","id":"THES264410"},{"text":"Costumes","id":"THES269529"},{"text":"Jewellery","id":"THES48930"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"T&P","id":"THES48602"},"images":[],"imageResolution":"","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"002","id":"THES360722"},"free":"","case":"","shelf":"","box":""}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Necklace","id":"AAT46001"}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"Los Angeles","id":"x29541"},"association":{"text":"designed and made","id":"x39722"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"1941","earliest":"1941-01-01","latest":"1941-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Given by Greta Ritchie","dimensions":[],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[],"objectHistory":"","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Necklace with pendant 'N', costume jewellery, Joseff of Hollywood, 1941","bibliographicReferences":[],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[{"text":"Vivien Leigh","id":"N703"}],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["S.1536-2026"],"accessionNumberNum":"1536","accessionNumberPrefix":"S","accessionYear":2026,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":[],"recordModificationDate":"2026-09-22","recordCreationDate":"2026-03-13","availableToBook":false}}