The Jewel in Thames Ditton's Crown
Yet another embodiment of the highest quality in Thames Ditton - nestling by Picton House, with the Home of Compassion and the High Street as a charming backdrop, there's a small jewellers shop called Assimi. In the window, a dazzling display of colourful, exciting, sparkling jewellery. On ringing the bell, one is greeted by Ash, the gentle schnauzer of Assimi owner, Bernard Leon, and together they welcome customers into the elegant French style interior, designed by his wife. Bernard, who's been selling his hand made jewellery in Thames Ditton for four years, began his silversmithing career thirty years ago when he trained at Sir John Cass College. Bernard then perfected his craft at the prestigious Garrard jewellers in London.
In 1987, Bernard set up in business for himself, making high quality silver and gold goods for many West End shops, especially Theo Fennell. During that time many of the rich and famous commissioned beautiful objects from him, often with personal associations. Bernard made the largest silver yacht in the world for the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, a huge model of his beloved yacht complete with intricate silver details of the ship furniture right down to deck loungers. A sporting commission came from Boris Becker for a life-sized copy of the Wimbledon Trophy to commemorate his third Wimbledon win. Amongst the myriad exquisite designs Bernard was commissioned to produce were a silver teapot for the Queen in the shape of an elaborate pumpkin, a model of a silver guitar and trademark sunglasses for the singer George Michael, and a guitar for Mark Knoffler of the band Dire Straits. Most exciting of all is the large quantity of elaborate, decorative items which Bernard has made for a very famous pop star, who asked to remain anonymous. But in Bernard's photographic portfolio are amazing depictions of the model silver piano, and fabulous highly decorative silver dining service, complete with cherubs chasing around candlesticks.
On a more serious note, Bernard was asked to recreate silver items that were tragically destroyed by the fire at Hampton Court Palace. Using the remaining pieces, old photographs, and painstaking research at the V&A he hand copied the destroyed pieces as they had originally been made. He has also been commissioned to make a silver salver for Ely Cathedral.
Moving to Thames Ditton, along with changes in jewellery and silverware fashion, has enabled Bernard to spend more time designing and making high quality jewellery pieces while continuing to produce work referred from London's West End. Behind the bijou retail shop sits his busy workshop, brimming full with well-loved and well-used tools and equipment. All of the jewellery sold at Assimi is hand-crafted by Bernard. He can make any item of jewellery requested and finds that in Thames Ditton much of his work comes from customers' word of mouth. Most of his purchasers are local people, looking for original gifts for weddings, birthdays, anniversaries and other special occasions. Many customers are also women who just want to buy a piece of jewellery for themselves. Bernard works in all precious metals - gold, silver, platinum, and with any kind of stone a customer wants, although he is finding that current Thames Ditton customers have got a penchant for diamonds and gold! As well as producing to commission, he has in stock necklaces, rings, earrings, bracelets that he has already made. He also does a good deal of work redesigning old inherited jewellery, using the metal and precious stones to create, perhaps, a more modern piece.
As well as making and selling his hand made pieces, Bernard teaches Silversmithing at Sir John Cass College. Looking at his brimming workshop and the well worn tools, it's plain to see that we have a true master in the Village, working with the independence to indulge his love of the craft. By the way, if you are wondering what the name ASSIMI means - it is ancient Greek for 'silver'. A magical name for a spellbinding shop. Take a look - Christmas is coming!
Assimi is at 54, High Street tel: 020 8972 9500 website.