"Golds and Treasures, 3 years of Chinese ornaments"
From December 1, 2022 to April 14, 2023
The School of Jewelry Arts, 31 rue Daniel Casanova – 75001 PARIS
“Gold is the most precious thing in the whole world because it is immortal and never decays. Alchemists eat it and enjoy longevity.”
Wei Boyang, alchemist, Eastern Han dynasty (25-220)
Since the first testimonies of its use in the XNUMXth millennium BC, gold has fascinated and amazed the whole world.
In China, gold was rarely used before the Han, reserved mainly for decorating other materials, such as bronze, or for making small objects. Among the populations of the steppes in the north of the country, on the other hand, gold occupies an essential place in society. The frequent exchanges between central China and the nomadic populations lead to a strong increase in the production and use of gold ornaments. They become true symbols of power and materialize the high rank of those who wear them. They are also irreplaceable witnesses to the know-how of Chinese goldsmiths over the centuries.
Rich in varied symbolism, deciphered in the exhibition, the ornaments presented cover more than 3 years of Chinese history.
All are from the exceptional Mengdiexuan Collection, one of the most extraordinary private art collections in Hong Kong, centered on Chinese art. The School of Jewelry Arts has the honor of revealing it to the public in Paris, after a first exhibition on its Hong Kong campus two years ago.
At the crossroads of art history, know-how and materials, the subject resonates with the mission of L'École des Arts Joailliers since its creation in 2012, thanks to the support of Van Cleef & Arpels. Through the courses offered such as conferences and workshops, exhibitions, publications, or even research, it strives to promote the art of jewelery in all its dimensions.
