Chaumet's golden take on the cityscape
Chaumet's high jewellery necklace, ‘Perspectives de Chaumet Skyline', looks to the city for its inspiration
Chaumet marks its 240th anniversary this year with a new collection that draws on a host of defining cultural references from the high jewellery house’s history. The ‘Perspectives de Chaumet Skyline’ necklace takes modern cityscapes as its inspiration, rewriting their clash of geometry in warm yellow gold that has been polished, openworked, engraved and hammered.
‘The work of gold on this piece is a tribute to the 1960s and 1970s, from the time of Pierre Sterlé and René Morin,’ says Chaumet CEO Jean-Marc Mansvelt. A serrated silhouette gives an illusion of chaos, a nod to deconstructivism; Mansvelt points to Irving Penn’s Collapse and Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater as direct inspirations.
‘The construction of a piece of jewellery is also a question of architecture: creating balance, harmony, tension, the relationship between empty and full,’ says Mansvelt. ‘It should never be forgotten that a piece of high jewellery only exists because it must be worn and be comfortable to wear.’ The resulting asymmetrical zip of textured gold ultimately finds its own balance, juxtaposing its sharp angles against the perfectly pear-shaped orb of a Colombian emerald.
INFORMATION
This article originally appeared in the October 2020 issue of Wallpaper* (W*258)
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
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.
-
The best fashion moments at Milan Design Week 2024
Scarlett Conlon discovers the moments fashion met design at Salone del Mobile and Milan Design Week 2024, as Loewe, Hermès, Bottega Veneta, Prada and more staged intriguing presentations and launches across the city
By Scarlett Conlon Published
-
LEVC’s L380 is a truly magnificent minivan
The London Electric Vehicle Company’s L380, is a magnificent minivan designed for upscale long-distance travel, as the maker of the London Taxi branches out into all-purpose EVs
By Jonathan Bell Published
-
Enjoy ocean and jungle bliss at Bespoke Tulum’s residences in Mexico
Bespoke Tulum is an exclusive hospitality complex designed by Muro Rojo Arquitectura on Mexico’s Caribbean coastline
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
Paris 2024 and Chaumet unveil Olympic and Paralympic medals
The Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic medals designed by Chaumet are not just emblems of champions but are storytelling jewellery
By Minako Norimatsu Published
-
Year in review: top 10 watch and jewellery stories of 2023, as picked by Wallpaper’s Hannah Silver
Silver’s top 10 watch and jewellery stories of 2023 span cool horological collaborations, sculptural forms, and cutlery as bracelets
By Hannah Silver Published
-
Chaumet’s high jewellery nods to naturalistic traditions
Chaumet presents its new high jewellery collection in four chapters
By Hannah Silver 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
-
Chaumet’s new high jewellery collection draws the fluidity of a wave in diamonds
‘Déferlante’, an extension to the previous ‘Torsade de Chaumet’ high jewellery collection, once again looks to the water for inspiration
By Hannah Silver Last updated
-
Chaumet wins Best Twirls: Wallpaper* Design Awards 2022
The ‘Torsade de Chaumet’ necklace by Chaumet is a Wallpaper Design Awards 2022 winner
By Hannah Silver Last updated
-
London’s Chaumet boutique nods to Parisian design codes
Chaumet boutique on Bond Street, London, is designed by Patricia Grosdemange, the perfect showcase for the house’s high jewellery, permanent collections and tiaras
By Hannah Silver Last updated