Past Exhibition

Exhibition "Gold and Treasures"

Paris, France 01.12.2022 — 14.04.2023 Full
Épingle à cheveux à décor de phénix, Or, Dynastie Song, 960-1279, Collection Mengdiexuan, photo Picspark Co

L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewerly Arts

31 rue Danielle Casanova
75001 Paris

 

Exhibition from December 1st 2022 to April 14th 2023.

 

Monday to Saturday, 11am to 7pm.

Evening hours on Thursdays until 8pm.

 

A free tour of L’ÉCOLE is offered from 5:30pm to 6pm for those interested.

 

Guided tours in French on Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays from 6pm to 7pm.  

Inquiries: exposition.ecole@vancleefarpels.com  

Free admission, by reservation.

Full

Exhibition "Gold and Treasures , 3 000 years of Chinese ornaments"

Gold and treasures - Exhibition poster.jpg

Photo: Hairpin with phoenix design. Gold, Song Dynasty, 960-1279. Mengdiexuan Collection. 

Thank you for your enthusiasm and your support to the exhibition!

All tickets have been taken. We’ll see you at our next exhibition in June, “A New Art. Metamorphoses of Jewelry, 1880 – 1914”!
Don’t miss anything – follow us on @lecolevancleefarpels for all upcoming activities of L’ÉCOLE.

 

Exhibition "Gold and Treasures , 3 000 years of Chinese ornaments"

Exposition Ors et Trésors, L'École des Arts Joailliers. Photo Benjamin Chelly (53).jpg
Exposition Ors et Trésors, L'École des Arts Joailliers. Photo Benjamin Chelly (51).jpg
Exposition Ors et Trésors, L'École des Arts Joailliers. Photo Benjamin Chelly (60).jpg
Exposition Ors et Trésors, L'École des Arts Joailliers. Photo Benjamin Chelly (84).jpg
Exposition Ors et Trésors, L'École des Arts Joailliers. Photo Benjamin Chelly (61).jpg
Exposition Ors et Trésors, L'École des Arts Joailliers. Photo Benjamin Chelly (93).jpg
Exposition Ors et Trésors, L'École des Arts Joailliers. Photo Benjamin Chelly (13).jpg
Exposition Ors et Trésors, L'École des Arts Joailliers. Photo Benjamin Chelly (78).jpg
Exposition Ors et Trésors, L'École des Arts Joailliers. Photo Benjamin Chelly (69).jpg
Exposition Ors et Trésors, L'École des Arts Joailliers. Photo Benjamin Chelly (94).jpg

“Gold is the most valuable thing in all the world because it is immortal and never gets rotten. Alchemists eat it, and they enjoy longevity.”
Wei Boyang, alchemist, East Han dynasty (25-220)From the first traces of its use in the fifth millennium B.C.E., gold has fascinated and mesmerized civilizations the world over.  

Gold was rarely seen in China before the Han dynasty and was mainly used to embellish other materials such as bronze or to realize small objects. For the Steppe peoples of northern China, however, it played an essential role in society. Frequent exchanges between central China and nomadic peoples led to a dramatic increase in the production and use of gold ornaments, which became veritable symbols of power and represented the high rank of those who wore them. They are also invaluable in bearing witness to the savoir-faire of Chinese goldsmiths over the centuries.

Replete with various symbolic meanings that are deciphered throughout the exhibition, these ornaments span more than three thousand years of Chinese history. All are part of the exceptional Mengdiexuan Collection, one of Hong Kong’s most extraordinary private art collections, focused on Chinese art. L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts is honored to present the collection in Paris, following a first exhibition on its Hong Kong campus two years ago.

By bringing art history, savoir-faire, and materials into dialogue, the exhibition resonates with the mission pursued by L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts since its creation in 2012 with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels, that of promoting the many dimensions of the art of jewelry through courses, talks, workshops, exhibitions, publications, and research.

"Hairpin with phoenix" explained by Valentina Bruccoleri

The "Hairpin with phoenix", explained by Valentina Bruccoleri, PhD in Chinese Art History (Sorbonne University), Co-Curator of the exhibition "Gold and Treasures, 3 000 Years of Chinese Ornaments". 

"What is Gold?" explained by Olivier Segura

"What is Gold?", explained by Olivier Segura, Gemologist, Scientific Director at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, Co-Curator of the exhibition "Gold and Treasures, 3 000 Years of Chinese Ornaments". 

Capture1.PNG

"Hair Ornaments in Imperial China"

Discover the saga "Hair Ornaments in Imperial China" produced by L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts with Beaux-Arts Magazine. 

In Imperial China, hair ornaments have a primary importance. Hair being the part of the body closest to the heavens - and therefore to the gods - precious ornaments of high symbolic importance were placed there.

In a series of videos, learn all about the art of Chinese hairdressing with Valentina Bruccoleri, PhD in Chinese art history and co-curator of the exhibition “Gold and Treasures. 3000 Years of Chinese Ornaments”.

Discover More