Spread over 90 acres, Lodhi Gardens contains the Shisha Gumbad (or “mirrored dome”), one of a series of architectural works of the 15th century Lodis who ruled parts of northern India and Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province of modern-day Pakistan, from 1451 to 1526. The Shisha Gumbad is covered in decorative tiles, mostly turquoise blue, that lit up Alice’s daily walk. It led her on a journey of research into the tradition of tiled sacred spaces, most celebrated in Uzbekistan. The scallop pattern that distinguishes the Silver Tile rings is a representation of these tiles, juxtaposed with the classic Rajasthani leheria chevron.

The line of colour around the stone that is a feature of the Silver Tile collection functions in the same way as the line of hinglu (or red pigment) around the traditional Rajasthani picchvai, portable shrines to Krishna, the Hindu God of Love; the red line represents a sacred space. It is a detail for which both Silver Tile and Meenakari collections are best known.

As the collection has evolved, the Silver Tile collection is now made in the UK using lacquer enamel, in the studio of one of Hatton Garden’s last pattern makers trained to create original models by hand. Bringing a maker’s sensibility to production, the pieces are cast in 14ct gold, then set and hand lacquered in London by this city’s finest enamel mastercraftsman. Alice deploys her classic palette of neon pinks & oranges, graphic white and softer pastels in combination with vibrant colored stones - rose de France amethyst, Swiss Blue Topaz and white topaz make regular appearances. Alice collaborates with Liberty London on annual limited edition Silver Tile exclusives for the store.

Launched originally as part of Alice’s graduate collection at Central St Martins, Silver Tile was first released for sale in 2009. Designs from the Silver Tile collection can be made to measure, where clients can choose stones and colours to order, and Alice is regularly commissioned to recreate client’s heirloom pieces into new bespoke jewellery in this style. Please contact rossella@alicecicolini.com to find out more about how we can work with you to create your treasured piece of heirloom jewellery.