Imperial Splendours: The Art of Jewellery Since the 18th Century
“Imperial Splendours” at the Palace Museum in Beijing is dedicated to the French brand Chaumet. This remarkable exhibit features a stunning 1811 gold, silver, and diamond tiara, created for Empress Marie-Louise. The wheat sheaf motif is a recurring theme in Chaumet’s timeless designs.
Courtesy Chaumet
The show juxtaposes Chaumet’s jewels with imperial works from the Palace Museum, such as this Qing dynasty double-dragon hair pin, set in gilded and colored silver, pearls, coral, and glass.These Chaumet platinum, diamond, and enamel wings from 1910 can be worn as a diadem or as brooches. They belonged to Payne Whitney (born Gertrude Vanderbilt), founder of Vogue magazine and the Whitney Museum in New York.The show’s oldest piece is a 1789 memorial box for the Marquise de Lawoestine, here painted in miniature.The show also features Chaumet’s more recent creations, such as this 2016 Escapade de Chaumet gold and diamond cuff that recalls a rolled-up ribbon.Created in 1924 by Lacloche Frères, this Imperial Door vanity case, crafted from carved onyx, coral, diamonds, and platinum, was notably made using lacquer, a material that fascinated designers at the time.The exhibition also includes standout watches and clocks, such as this remarkable 1929 Imperial Guardian Lion Mystery Clock, produced by Maurice Couet for Cartier.Amrapali, one of India’s most prominent contemporary jewellers, has opened a museum in Jaipur to showcase India’s rich gold and silversmithing heritage, with most works dating from the 19th to the 20th century.
