The Ndau Collection is a Zimbabwean design house specialising in the creation of unique African jewellery and exotic leather accessories. Based in our home studio of Victoria Falls, we are a collective of designers from Zimbabwe, brought together by our love of African culture, history and design.
Each of our sterling silver, bronze or copper beads and fittings are made using the centuries old African lost-wax casting technique, handmade from beginning to end, resulting in a beautifully soft, curvaceous finish to our metal work that gives it the feel of the ages of history it represents. We combine these cast pieces with our wide collection of beautiful rare antique African Trade beads, semi-precious and precious stones, natural horn and bone, exotic leathers and treasures we find in our travels, to create our one of a kind jewellery and accessories. Every piece takes several weeks to create and is hand worked throughout. Each of our pieces is either unique, a bespoke creation or part of a limited edition run of especially selected castings.
We believe strongly in promoting local talent and work with well known local carvers Justice Ncube and Fanwell Mucheneripi. We have set up and run The Ruoko Project, whereby master wireworker Gift Sitohle, scrimshander Moses Kalembela, mosaic artist Obert Monga and fine pencil artist Leamington Muzhingi are supported, mentored and promoted through the Ndau platform internationally, collaborating with us in producing one of a kind jewellery and accessories, as well as their own designs and artwork.
The Ndau Collection was formed in 1998 by current owner Gail van Jaarsveldt and Gill Athestone, as a result of their great passion for African beadwork. Gill subsequently moved back to Harare and Gail was joined by her daughter Christie Halsted as co-owner of the company and together they have grown the Ndau Collection to where it is today. Pieces from the collection have found their way to all corners of the globe and the brand is fast gaining international recognition.