About Us

Ancestors


Ancestors was founded in 1992, primarily as a firm of professional genealogists, by Nicholas and Anne Humphery-Smith, in Canterbury, Kent. In 1999 the company moved to the famous sea town, Dover - immortalised by Vera Lynn in the wartime song "(There'll Be Bluebirds Over) the White Cliffs of Dover" - and changed its name to Ancestors of Dover. Since then a further expansion has taken place and the company now occupies an 11,000 sq ft factory in nearby Folkestone.

Ancestors now concentrates on the research, design, development and manufacture of services and products for the heritage industry. The company designs and manufactures products on the premises, with the help of dedicated outworkers, for clients such as Harrods, Hamleys, English Heritage, Historic Royal Palaces, Historic Scotland, Cadw and, most recently, the Victoria & Albert Museum.

Ancestors is licensed by the V&A to create an extensive collection of designer and fine jewellery, all of which is inspired by the many designs, fashions and works of art on display in the V&A. The full collection is offered through this website, whereas only selected lines are available in the V&A shop.

Covering the Byzantine period right up to the 21st century, this is a collection like no other, suitable for all tastes and all ages. Accompanying all items are the supporting stories and pictures of the original exhibits in the museum from which the designs have been taken, together with designer-led packaging and full merchandise packs to assist sales. Primarily aimed at the heritage market, department stores, mail order and shopping channels, the INSPIRED! Collection targets those with an eye for fashion and a sense of history.


Victoria and Albert Museum

Founded in 1852, the V&A is the world's greatest museum of art and design. With more than five million amazing artefacts from the world's richest cultures its unsurpassable collections have inspired and informed designers and manufacturers for more than 150 years.

Influential art movements can be explored in virtually every medium including world class collections of glass, textiles, graphics, photography and fashion. It also has the largest collection of jewellery housed under one roof. Following a five-year renovation programme, the museum's magnificent and futuristic jewellery gallery re-opened in May 2008 as the William and Judith Bollinger Jewellery Gallery.

Royalties from sales of the INSPIRED! Collection (to which new ranges are being added each year) are covenanted to the V&A, allowing the museum to continue its work for the benefit of future generations.