To celebrate the launch of Chaumet’s High Jewellery collection Trésors d’Afrique / Treasures of Africa, Les Mondes de Chaumet third halt, friends of the luxury French jeweller Chaumet and guests from across the globe came together to view the unveiling of the pieces in the heart of Paris at the Centre Pompidou.
The High Jewellery collection Les Mondes de Chaumet is comprised of three chapters: three moments that combine the virtuosity of the Maison with otherworldly dreams. The first stop, Russia with “PromenadesImpériales of Russia”, the second stop, Japan with “Japan’s Chant du Printemps” collection, and finally the third stop: Africa with a collection in five parts: Talismania, Cascade Royales, Ronde de Pierres, Terres d’Or,and Espiègleries.
“Conceived after an encounter with Kenyan artist, Evans Mbugua, “Trésors d’Afrique” showcases the generosity of nature and the treasures it offers us by exploring how the region inspired artists like Pablo Picasso and André Derain, to the universal role of jewelry as talisman and a symbol of status,” commented whitewall.
“Chaumet Trésors d’Afrique tells of an Africa that boasts an original nature, a nature that’s generous – offering its treasures – and storied, inevitably fascinating for a Maison that has always explored naturalistic themes.A natural meeting, therefore, for a tribute to unexpected forms, a resolutely contemporary sense of daring, like the continent that gave it life,” commented Chaumet.
Trésors d’Afrique Talismania – Jewelled sculptures in organic shapes
The Talismania cufflinks and rings look back to the source of African art and ornament. Stones cut as sugarloaf cabochons are highlighted by a weaving of different coloured golds that evoke wicker work. The unique combination of ebony, hard stones, onyx and gemstones provides unmuted colour contrasts to the generous volumes.
Trésors d’Afrique Espiègleries
How could we celebrate Africa without evoking its lush flora and fauna? Designed by Kenyan artist Evans Mbugua, six brooches, one of which can be transformed into earrings, and six watches revisit the classic animalistic theme with a fresh dose of levity.
Trésors d’Afrique Terres d’Or
In a graphic interplay of reds and golds, a marriage of the golden desert sands and ocher earth of Africa, each piece a symphony of curves and interlacing. The roundness of ovals, cabochons, sugar loaves and ruby beads caresses the skin with fluidity, sublimating the wearer’s sensuality.
Trésors d’Afrique Cascades Royales
Like a lace composed of slender lines, Cascades Royales combines the purest forms of African objects with the signature fineness of fils couteau. In black, white and green, reminiscent of the cascading parures that frame the faces of women in many African cultures.
Trésors d’Afrique Ronde de Pierres
A jewelled evocation of dazzling, brightly-coloured Nilotic parures, of the pearl ornaments, Ronde de Pierres combines beads of red spinels, emeralds, sapphires and mandarin garnets, outlined by black spinels on black rhodium-plated gold and diamonds.
