Online conversation

Pascal Ory’s Academician’s Sword by Thierry Vendome

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Discover the story behind this sword during an exceptional conversation between Pascal Ory and Thierry Vendome, hosted by Léonard Pouy, jewelry historian and teacher-researcher at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.

This online conversation will be broadcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts in Paris.

Pascal Ory’s Academician’s Sword by Thierry Vendome

“Despite the place that the Academies continue to hold among French symbols, the general public is not familiar with the stories behind the academician’s swords that are carried during the institution’s formal ceremonies. The story of this sword began like a tale and concluded like a festival of artistic imagination. A chance meeting the day after I was elected to the Academy led to an adventure with the goldsmith and jeweler Thierry Vendome, the son of Jean Vendome, in his own time a master craftsman of academician’s swords. A strong intellectual and aesthetic emulation determined the choice of symbols, from the guard to the motto engraved on the blade, and that of the materials, from lapis lazuli to shagreen, silver, and gilded silver. Jewelry expertise was enriched with the savoir-faire of a blacksmith, a lapidary, a sheath craftsman, and a draftswoman (Catherine Meurisse for the muse of Clio, allegory of History). The work of art resulting from this convergence of passions has become a symbol of a friendship and a creativity in itself.”

Pascal Ory, professor emeritus at the Sorbonne (Paris I), member of the French Academy.

With Pascal Ory, Professor emeritus of history at the Sorbonne (Paris I), member of the Académie française, & Thierry Vendome, Artist Jeweler & Léonard Pouy, Art Historian PhD and Teacher-Researcher at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts

This online conversation will be broadcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts in Paris.

Online Conversation

Developed by the teams at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts to offer a new look at the world of jewelry, these online talks bring together two experts for a 45-50 minute conversation that is followed by a Q&A session during which you may submit your questions by instant messaging.

Should you wish to learn more, L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts will send you a detailed bibliography following the event.

These talks are held in French and English and simultaneously interpreted in Cantonese, Mandarin, and Japanese. You will also find them available for viewing on YouTube at your leisure once the event has come to a close.

Participating in these conversations hosted by L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts allows you to join a community of curious enthusiasts eager to discover and learn.

Photo: Thierry Vendome, Pascal Ory’s academician sword, Lapis lazuli, red jasper, silver-gilt, silver, shagreen, 2022, Private collection