The historical and the contemporary unite in Chaumet’s new ‘Joséphine Aigrette’ collection, which teases Akoya cultured pearls into arresting and modern silhouettes.
Pearls have long held a place in the house’s designs, and were a favourite of Empress Joséphine. Exceptional pearl pieces in the archives include Joséph Chaumet’s ‘Curvilinear’ tiara, circa 1930, as well as the ‘Bowknot’ corsage ornament he created in 1922.
‘The new pieces of the “Joséphine” pearls collection take their inspiration from all of these elements of our history,’ says Chaumet CEO Jean-Marc Mansvelt. ‘Moreover, it’s important to remember that the pearl is also highly symbolic. Pearls symbolise love, prosperity, beauty, purity and female empowerment, which are all part of Chaumet’s codes.’
These new pieces balance pearls on geometric angles of diamonds in rings or earrings, or ride them on the crest of a glittering wave in a simply drawn tiara. The deep V of the silhouettes nods to the traditional form of an aigrette – or headdress — here embellished in pearls and brilliant-cut diamonds in a fine jewellery spin.
‘Tiaras are transformed as rings, with the new between-the-fingers “Joséphine” ring a delicate nod to the “Toi & Moi” design,’ adds Mansvelt. ‘The V and the pear shape highlight the characteristic Chaumet art of the line, but with a new dynamic that gives more movement to the pieces. Using a variety of settings – cut-down and claw – these pieces are punctuated with diamonds that almost seem suspended in the air.’
The collection intertwines this technicality with an inherent wearability: ‘The challenge was looking at pearls and reinventing them. Twisting classics and giving them a touch of modernity. By doing this, these pieces become suitable for many occasions; they can be worn alone or stacked and matched with the existing range. They can be the perfect memorable gift or the perfect bridal set. They are multifaceted jewels, much like Joséphine’s personality.’
INFORMATION
-
This surreal new seafood restaurant in LA is the stuff of mermaid's dreamsAt Cento Raw Bar, delectable fare is complemented by playful, oceanic interiors by Brandon Miradi
-
What’s new in the wearable world of smart glasses, and extended and augmented realityAre you ready for AR? Meta, Google, Snap and more are gearing up to compete with Apple and deliver frames-based communications devices – complete with AI integration
-
Italian-Japanese fusion’s a joy at east London’s Osteria AngelinaA Victorian warehouse in Spitalfields has been given a slick modern makeover to house a unique Italian-Japanese restaurant
-
Chaumet’s new book celebrates its most memorable collaborations with photographers'Chaumet: Photographers’ Gaze' unites jewellery editorials and campaigns captured by major photographers. Co-author Carol Woolton tells us of the ‘addictive' Chaumet archive
-
Chaumet, Cartier and Chanel up their high jewellery watch game for 2024In 2024's high jewellery watch designs, performance tech and centuries-old techniques combine to brilliant effect
-
High jewellery with dazzling effectsStand-out gems dazzle against a backdrop of red and black in our high jewellery shoot
-
Paris 2024 and Chaumet unveil Olympic and Paralympic medalsThe Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic medals designed by Chaumet are not just emblems of champions but are storytelling jewellery
-
Chunky chains are given a subversive high jewellery spinHigh jewellery houses rewrite the rules by way of 1980s tunes and a blast of emeralds, spinels and diamonds
-
Year in review: top 10 watch and jewellery stories of 2023, as picked by Wallpaper’s Hannah SilverSilver’s top 10 watch and jewellery stories of 2023 span cool horological collaborations, sculptural forms, and cutlery as bracelets
-
Chaumet exhibition celebrates the golden age of jewellery design in ParisA Chaumet exhibition, ‘Un Âge d’Or’, in Place Vendôme, puts jewellery designs from 1965 – 1985 in the spotlight
-
Chaumet’s high jewellery nods to naturalistic traditionsChaumet presents its new high jewellery collection in four chapters
