L'École Asia Pacific and UMAG explore the intersection of jewellery and graphic arts

From now until 5 October, the University Museum and Art Gallery of The University of Hong Kong and L’École Asia Pacific, School of Jewelry Art present Designing Jewels: 200 Years of French Savoir-Faire (1770–1970)

From now until 5 October, the University Museum and Art Gallery of the University of Hong Kong (UMAG) and L'École, School of Jewelry Arts present Designing Jewels: 200 years of French Savoir-Faire (1770-1970). Supported by the French May Arts Festival and co-curated by Florian Knothe, an art historian, curator and director of UMAG; and Mathilde Berger-Rondouin, art historian specialising in the field of European decorative arts and Lecturer at L'École, the display explores the rich history of jewellery graphic resources from some of the most prominent French Maisons. 

Jewellery designs - whether as preliminary line drawings or gouaché illustrations - are unique in that they represent different stages in the manufacturing process of jewels and preview the appearance of a veritable work of art in its beauty, colour and material application. Rarely exhibited, under studied and often unpublished, jewellery drawings remain relatively unknown to the public despite their essential role, serving as the references for all master craftsmen involved in the creation of the jewellery. Since the Renaissance, drawings have constituted the initial and guiding step in a creative process that gives life to an artistic idea and allows for the development from inspiration to masterpieces.

Benefiting from Van Cleef & Arpels Patrimony Collections and Van Cleef & Arpels Jewelry Culture Fonds, along with loans from the Lalique Museum in France and private jewellery collections in Hong Kong, this exhibition features some 100 drawings alongside 13 exquisite jewellery pieces, such as a 1990 graphite, ink and gouaché drawing of a "peacock" diadem from René Lalique.

See also: Emphasis Jewellery captures nature's rhythmic elegance with new Bloom collection