Wright Auction

Moshe Oved was born into a Jewish family in Poland in 1885 and immigrated to England in 1903, settling in London’s East End. A prolific figure, Oved was a writer, sculptor, and the founder of the antique jewelry shop Cameo Corner in Bloomsbury. He played a significant role in the Ben Uri Society, supporting Yiddish culture and contributing to the art collection. Oved helped to fund and facilitate the acquisition of early works by artists such as Simeon Solomon, Jacob Kramer, David Bomberg, and Samuel Hirszenberg. Oved’s own literary works showcase his diverse interests and feature anecdotes about notable personalities like Max Nordau, Sholem Asch, and Jacob Epstein. During the Blitz in World War II, Oved, seeking refuge in Cameo Corner’s basement, began crafting animal-design rings to steady his hands. After the war, he ventured into sculpting, creating bronze heads and candelabra to commemorate Holocaust victims. Oved’s charismatic persona and unique anthropomorphic jewelry, portraying animals and birds with human characteristics, earned him renown, with his pieces still highly sought after today. As the owner of Cameo Corner, Oved catered to a rich (sometimes aristocratic or royal) and colorful clientele, including Queen Mary and Rudolph Valentino, making a lasting mark on the world of antique jewelry. Oved passed away in 1958, but his influence as an artist and jewelry designer continues to be felt.