Chaumet unveils new watch and jewellery collection dedicated to Empress Josephine
Chaumet’s new watch and jewellery collection rethinks the classic pear cut
![Chaumet's new collection pays tribute to Empress Josephine](https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/XUdaZd7zXYfc7MxCkgPziH-415-80.jpg)
Chaumet’s history has been intertwined with that of Empress Josephine’s since the jewellery house became her official jeweller in the 18th century. She has been the muse for myriad diamond creations since then, with high and fine jewellery collections weaving references to her into intricate patterns of diamonds over the subsequent centuries.
Now, a rethinking of Chaumet’s Joséphine collection celebrates the empress’ chameleon-like love of reinvention. It is a collection crying out to be mixed, matched and made your own. The design centres around her most recognisable piece, the tiara, adapting the pear cut at its centre into earrings, rings, necklaces and a watch.
‘Our key character isn’t Napoleon – it’s Josephine,’ says Chaumet CEO Jean-Marc Mansvelt. ‘She’s an interesting character, the central one of the maison. The pure shape is part of her story.’
In the new Joséphine Ronde d’Aigrettes collection, pear cuts form asymmetrical silhouettes, the angular lines of the rings made to be stacked. In the Joséphine Valse Impériale high jewellery collection, pear-shaped diamonds are swept into the curves of a tiara or rest lightly below the collarbone. The simple graphic silhouette of the dial takes centre stage in the the Joséphine Aigrette watch, which is held comfortably in place with an unbroken buckle-free loop of leather or satin. ‘More than ever, we wanted this connection between the jewellery and the watch,’ Mansvelt says.
Next month, Chaumet will be celebrating Josephine and Napoleon in a new Paris exhibition, ‘Joséphine et Napoléon, une histoire (extra)ordinaire’, which marks the bicentury of the emperor’s death and takes a look back through the couple’s life together through jewellery, paintings and works of art. ‘Many institutions will celebrate Napoleon the politician, or the military man. We are highlighting that Napoleon was also a man in love,’ says Mansvelt.
Adds Chaumet director of heritage Claire Gannet: ‘Nowadays, we all want to contemplate and experience beauty. The spring season overlaps with the anniversary of Napoleon’s death – starting to talk about their love story at the blooming season is a nice symbol.’
INFORMATION
The exhibition ’Joséphine et Napoléon, une histoire (extra)ordinaire’ will take place 10 April – 12 June at 12 Place Vendôme, Paris
Wallpaper* Newsletter + Free Download
For a free digital copy of August Wallpaper*, celebrating Creative America, sign up today to receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories
Hannah Silver is the Art, Culture, Watches & Jewellery Editor of Wallpaper*. Since joining in 2019, she has overseen offbeat design trends and in-depth profiles, and written extensively across the worlds of culture and luxury. She enjoys meeting artists and designers, viewing exhibitions and conducting interviews on her frequent travels.
-
‘Hedonistic and avant-garde’: Rabanne’s Julian Dossena on the legacy of the chainmail 1969 bag
Paco Rabanne’s 1969 chainmail handbag encapsulates the late designer’s futuristic, space-age style. Current creative director Julien Dossena tells Wallpaper* about the bag’s particular pleasures
By Jack Moss Published
-
Postcard from Paris: Olympic fever takes over the streets
On the eve of the opening ceremony of Paris 2024, our correspondent shares her views from the streets of the capital about how the event is impacting the urban landscape.
By Minako Norimatsu Published
-
The Mercury Prize nominees for 2024 have been revealed
Charli XCX, The Last Dinner Party and Beth Gibbons are amongst this year's nominees
By Charlotte Gunn Published
-
Tiffany & Co’s Blue Book ‘Botanica’ collection comes up roses
Tiffany & Co draws on its heritage for delectable new jewellery collection
By Pei-Ru Keh Published
-
Boghossian high jewellery in sorbet shades puts us in the mood for summer
Boghossian’s multicoloured gemstone and diamond high jewellery set plays on pastel hues
By Hannah Silver Last updated
-
Chanel marks No.5 centenary with dazzling high jewellery collection
New Chanel high jewellery nods to the design codes of Coco Chanel’s original 1932 collection, and celebrates Chanel No.5
By Hannah Silver Last updated
-
Mikimoto unveils new high jewellery collection
Mikimoto’s new jewellery collection nods to the passing of the seasons
By Nuray Bulbul Last updated
-
Lydia Courteille tells Chinese legends through high jewellery
High jewellery intertwines history and myths in Lydia Courteille’s new collection
By Hannah Silver Last updated
-
Boucheron unveils rainbow high jewellery
The new high jewellery from Boucheron sees precious metals sprayed onto ceramics and rock crystal at high temperatures for holographic hues
By Hannah Silver Last updated
-
Schiaparelli’s July 2021 high jewellery collection launches at Paris Couture Week
Schiaparelli’s bijoux are as bold as ever, as artistic director Daniel Roseberry nods to matadors and space aliens and says, ‘Give me more beauty’
By Hannah Silver Last updated
-
Chaumet’s 2021 high jewellery collection launches at Paris Couture Week
Chaumet’s high jewellery takes inspiration from the column of Paris’ Place Vendôme
By Hannah Silver Last updated