Collectors’ corner: Albert Boghossian
Having produced jewellery for several renowned houses, Albert Boghossian established the eponymous high jewellery house with his brother Jean and nephews Roberto and Ralph in Geneva in 2007, becoming its CEO. Sixth-generation Armenian jewellers, the brothers moved from Syria to Lebanon, and then to Europe in the 1970s during the Lebanese Civil War. They established business bases in Geneva and Antwerp in the 1970s and created the Boghossian Foundation in Brussels in 1992. It is housed in the now fully restored Villa Empain, an art deco architectural masterpiece by Swiss architect Michel Polak.
Here, Albert lifts the lid on his personal treasure-trove of jewelled objects:
Albert Boghossian in his Geneva office, with pieces from his collection, including an Egyptian turquoise pendant, eggshell boxes by French artist Jean Dunand, and a 17th-century English gold and silver purse.
A version of this article originally appeared in the Precious Index, our watches and jewellery supplement (see W*230) Photography: Gabby Laurent
‘My family and its generations have forever been on the move. We come from a merchant industry – always buying, selling, adding, reducing. I grew up watching my grandfather and father collecting – in silver, jade and gold.’ – Albert Boghossian
Antique sewing set in gold and pearls, circa 1850. Photography: Jessica Ruch
’Not everything I collect is beautiful – but the workmanship is exceptional.’ – AB
Etui in amber, coral, enamel and diamonds, circa 1920, by Cartier
‘My desire to collect is linked to the history and nature of Armenian culture, of being on the move and becoming integrated with other cultures.’ – AB
Small gold box with mother of pearl, 1925, by Janesich
‘My collection is a voyage. Collecting is my own way of travelling. It takes me around the civilisation of where a piece originated from.’ – AB
Chinese box in silver, with mother of pearl, circa 1940
‘Our very long family history of artisanship makes us very sensitive to handwork of the artisan.’ – AB
Antique bow brooch in 14 ct-gold and silver with turquoise and split pearls, circa 1880
‘I collect these little boxes decorated with crushed eggshells from the 1930s and 1940s. I was thrilled and fascinated when I first saw them.’ – AB
Lacquered metal compact inlaid with mother-of-pearl and eggshell, the reverse entirely inlaid with eggshell, circa 1925, by Jean Dunand
‘It takes unbelievable energy to carefully crush the shell then stick the tiny pieces one by one to create a pattern. The materials are poor but they are executed with great taste.’ – AB
Eggshell circular compact in lacquered metal, inlaid with eggshell, mirror-lined on the inside, by Jean Dunand
‘I have a decision-making process when I buy. I seek beauty, intricacy and difficulty.’ – AB
Tiara in gold, enamel and pearls, by Lalique. Photography: Maxime Legrand