Nothing's quite as good as gold | Homes and Property

Nothing's quite as good as goldThe love of gold is at the heart of all London's status and wealth, as a new exhibition reveals. Corinne Julius reportsThis gold ampulla, part of the exhibition, held anointing oil for Charles I's 1633 Scottish coronationGold: Power and AllureA 21st century take on wealth - a bedside lamp (£941) by Philippe Starck for Flos of EC1Louis Osman

Olympic success

A pendant lamp in the shape of a decanter, by Lee Broom, in gold (£495), available at Liberty, Regent Street (020 7573 9645)A 1966 "optical illusion" 18-carat gold box made by Gerald Benney, with 10 alternate strips of textured gold on the lid giving the impression of a ridged surfaceNdidi EkubiaBrett PayneGrant McDonaldWilliam LeeMartyn PughHiroshi SuzukiGold: power and allure