Haute spot: Masterpiece London
Masterpiece London’s annual outing is underway, presenting its superbly high-brow mix of rare arts and exquisite mid-century objects. Of course, it’s the expertly curated jewellery design offering that sees us flocking to Chelsea like magpies. Here’s our quick-fix edit of the rich pickings on show:
Titanium earrings with rubellite, rhodolite, kunzite, pink sapphires and diamonds, by Fabio Salini
Fabio Salini’s experiments with humble materials – from leather to carbon fibre and cord – result in graphically fluid pieces that blur the line between contemporary art and high craft. His new designs tease further: playing with illusion, Salini uses highly polished gold and titanium to create mirrors, suggesting voluminous shapes where there is nothing but flat surfaces.
Masterpiece London runs from 27 June - 3 July at the Royal Hospital Chelsea
Opal earrings with yellow gold, by Grima
Francesca Grima’s contemporary designs follow on from the distinctly organic style of her father, the great modernist jeweller Andrew Grima. Both father and daughter’s designs are showcased, united in their originality. Here, smooth coils of textured gold rope bind boulder opals to sensuous but playful effect.
Masterpiece London runs from 27 June - 3 July at the Royal Hospital Chelsea
Colour-asymmetrical earrings with hexagonal-shaped diamond and natural brown salwater pearl, by Boghossian
Perfectly imperfect, this pair of diamond and brown saltwater pearl earrings boasts a sublime asymmetry. What on one earring is a rough surface, on the other is smooth; where the precisely edged facets of a diamond glisten on one earring, its mirror image shows only the smooth roundness of a pearl. Clashing geometric outlines are softened by muted brown and yellow hues, saved from sentimentality by the stark modernity of the design.
Masterpiece London runs from 27 June - 3 July at the Royal Hospital Chelsea