"The sword will be magnificent: I have found an admirable sort of Benvenuto Cellini who is working tirelessly. We are going back to the Renaissance and breaking with the tradition of the academic sword bristling with anecdotal symbols. There will be only one: the octopus." (August 4th, 1971 – Roger Caillois) It is with these words that Roger Caillois evokes his Academician's sword, crafted by Jean Vendome.
This panel discussion is an opportunity to explore the secrets of this extraordinary sword, in more ways than one. What is the story behind this creation? What are its symbols? What materials (gems and metals) were used to craft it?
These are all questions that our three experts will answer: Pr. François Farges, curator of the exhibition and scientist in charge of the French Muséum national d'histoire naturelle's collections of gems and objets d’art, Thierry Vendome, jeweler, Gérard Panczer, Professor of geospectroscopy (Institut Lumiere Matiere, Universite Lyon 1), accompanied by Lætitia Gilles-Guéry, gemologist and lecturer at L'ECOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.
Before attending this discussion, you will have the opportunity to visit the exhibition "Stones and Reveries: The Poetry and Minerals of Roger Caillois", from 7 p.m.; There is no need to book a time slot.
Panel Discussion (in French):
Tuesday, March 3rd, 2026
7.30pm - 8pm: Cocktail
8pm - 9pm: Discussion
L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts
Hôtel de Mercy-Argenteau, 16 bis boulevard Montmartre, 75009 Paris
Photo:
Jean Vendome, Roger Caillois' Academician sword (detail), 1971
Lyon, Musee des Confluences
Photograph by Benjamin Chelly
