In January 2022, L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, comes back to Tokyo with the breathtaking collection of men’s rings that belonged to Yves Gastou. This collection, unprecedented because it is exclusively dedicated to men's rings, whereas it is rather popular and contemporary to associate the jewel to the feminine, has never been exposed to the public outside L’ÉCOLE.
This exhibition showcases an array of about 400 rings including rings of the 17th century Venice doges, American biker rings of the 1970s as well as ancient Egyptian rings and 19th century “memento mori” skull rings among others.
The selection of rings on display is representative of the five themes that define the collection and illustrate its diversity : neoclassical, Gothic revival, Christian mysticism, vanities and otherness. Each ring contains a story that links it to the collector and resembles him, to which he has identified himself, like so many small pieces of himself. The exhibition, like a secret lair where he reveals his work, aims precisely to tell an anecdote, the story of a life devoted to art and love of objects.
