The daughter of an antique dealer, Inez Stodel accompanied her father on some of his buying trips, falling in love with jewelry along the way. “My father started his shop after World War II. He bought everything from Chinese ceramics and Oceanic art to jewelry. That’s when my love for jewelry started,” says Stodel.
She followed in her father’s footsteps opening a store, Inez Stodel Kunsthandel in 1964 on the famed Nieuwe Spiegelsstraat in the heart of Amesterdam, where she has specialized in jewelry and small works of art for over 50 years. The store, designed by architect Jaap Bakema, was originally a branch of Stodel en Goudsmit, Rotterdam, until Stodel became sole owner in 1971.
An Extraordinary Eye
Stodel sells rare and wearable antique jewelry and is known for her extraordinary eye for design and exceptional taste. While Stodel sells jewels that range in era from antiquity to the 1970s, she is more influenced by the form of the jewelry than the time period. “I do not have a preference for any particular period,” comments Stodel. “I’m interested in the proportions of the design and the quality of the jewel. When it pleases the eye it’s good. I love some contemporary designers such as Jacob de Groes from The Netherlands.”
In the collection you will find signed jewels made by a diverse group of jewelers including famous design houses such as Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Marcus & Co., Van Cleef & Arpels, Mauboussin and Boucheron. In addition, Stodel also has a selection of pieces by notable designers that includes the incomparable Carlo Giuliano, Alexis Falize, Jean and Georges Fouquet and Seaman Schepps. “I love early jewelry because of its soft appearance and the romance of past eras,” explains Stodel. “It’s the same for vintage gemstones, the way they are cut is softer to the eye.”
Third Generation Joins the Business
The love of antiques, jewelry and beautiful objets runs in the family. In 2004, Stodel’s daughter Leonore Van der Waals, who is an attorney, joined the business and now runs the company as a third generation dealer. “I love the hunt, to try and find the most perfect match for a client and the tears of happiness when people find the perfect jewel or gift,” explains Van der Waals.
In addition to running her business, Stodel is active in the industry. The firm is a member of VHOK, the Royal Association of Fine Art Dealers in The Netherlands and CINOA, the Arts and Antique Dealers Federation as well as the Spiegelkwartier, which is an historic shopping district, where Stodel’s store is located, comprised of art, antique and vintage businesses.
Besides jewelry, Inez also carries objets de vitrine such as boxes, small sculptures, maîtrises, scent bottles, portrait miniatures, costume accessories and micromosaics. If you can’t find what you’re looking for Stodel and Van der Waals will be delighted to search for the precious object of your desire.
So what is it that keeps vintage jewelry relevant today? “It is the workmanship and history, but so much more as well,” concludes Stodel. “We need to be careful about what we want to produce. By selling antiques we both recycle and upcycle.”
Top of Page: Inez Stodel (standing) and Leonore Van der Waals (sitting).
Diamond, gold, silver and blue glass ring with a musical motif, circa 18th century; Diamond and silver topped gold bow brooch, England, circa 1880; Pill themed 18-karat gold charm bracelet, with one diamond pave charm, signed Damien Hirst and numbered.
Authored by Amber Michelle