"Imperial Splendours: The Art of Jewellery since the 18th Century" (April 11 - July 2, 2017) at Beijing's Palace Museum explores the affinity between Chaumet and artistic practices in China.
'Vertiges' tiara by Scott Armstrong
Led by Beatrice de Plinval, curator of Chaumet's museum and archives, with scientific direction from Henri Loyrette, former director of the Paris Louvre and Musee d'Orsay, the showcase brings together 300 works that extend beyond jewellery to paintings, drawings and objets d'art, many of which have never left France before are on public display for the first time in its 235-year history. [The Week]
“We chose the Forbidden City, a symbolic and historic site, for a show that is a testimony to the universality of artistic expression and to celebrate the creativity of both French and Chinese artists,” explained Jean-Marc Mansvelt, president of Chaumet. [Artnet]
One interesting feature of the exhibition is a parallel display of Chinese-style artifacts from the Chaumet collection and items from the Palace Museum collection. The exhibits from the Chaumet collection, including tea sets, folding fans, and jade carvings, reflect the influence of eastern lifestyles and aesthetics on the West. In contrast, the display also reveals the Qing imperial family’s fondness for western timepieces and ornaments. This part of the exhibition has been deliberately designed to allow a lively dialogue across time and space, showing similarities and differences in techniques, aesthetic ideals, symbolic imagery and creative experiences between the East and the West. [The Palace Museum]
Visit Chaumet to view the exhibition online, or experience it through the 360° Panorama Viewer.
Left: Mrs. Payne Whitney's wings. Joseph Chaumet, 1910. Platinum, diamonds and enamel.
Right: Brooch with Chinese junk motif. Lacloche for Joseph Chaumet, circa 1925. Platinum, imperial jade, rubies, diamonds and onyx
Exhibition dates: April 11 - July 2, 2017
Venue: Wu men Room, Meridian Gate of the Forbidden City, Beijing