Jewel Gorging

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>> I've never had an eye for fine jewellery.  I can just about muster the pre-requisite "Wow, that's beautiful!" but is it a different viewpoint about beauty to the way I feel about costume jewellery?  I also happen to be a dumbass when it comes to differentiating between precious metals and stones.  As a child, I got so confused over the fact that a diamond could be blue, I spent ages looking it up in dusty library encyclopaedias (ah…those pre-Google days…).  Anyhow, I can't say I have an eye but I can admit to staring and being utterly mesmerised by Dior Haute Joaillerie designer Victorie de Castellane's unique creations for first exhibition 'Fleurs d'Exces' at the Gagosian Gallery in Paris.  People talk about women being ensnared by the glint of a diamond when to me the glint of a pailette, liquid silk satin or a cheap bit of patent is just as alluring.  Cross my heart and hope to die, I genuinely was floored for a few moments at the exhibition as the ten pieces that were created here was sort of addictive to look at – so many facets to take in and it's just as well that de Castellane looked to a mix of fairytales, Technicolor, Disney, manga colliding with the natural elements at force to inspire these wearable objects that are mainly about decorative and display purpose.  Whilst being wearable, there's something fanciful and decadently frivolous about it all, like the commissioned trinketry of the 18th century or Faberge eggs that are feasts for the eyes and that in itself is enough.  With faux-Latin names containing the words "crac", "opiom", "Crystalucinae Metha" and "Heroina", it's clear that hallucinogens are also at the core of each piece, with women secreting a poison that is somehow hidden in these jewels – don't ask me why the evil witch's shell necklace in Disney's Little Mermaid crops up here.  Let's not subvert it all though as for me, the talking point was the fact that I was able to look at a piece of jewellery (albeit a FINE objet d'art in its own right…) for more than 30 seconds and then finally breathe a bimbo-esque sigh "Oh wow…like, that's just like…so BEAUTIFUL…"

Eloquent jewel appreciator I am not…

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27 comments

  6. all of these are just stunning, the patterns and colors are amazing!
    <3 steffy
    steffysprosandcons.blogspot.com

  7. I’d say it’s the design of these more than the precious-ness of the materials that makes it amazing. I, too, am taken away by the glint of a diamond although I love costume as well. They must be conflict-free of course or vintage. Thankfully Canada is known for having ethical diamonds.

  8. I’m finding it hard to evaluate this jewellery because of the display forms. I’d rather see it on skin which is the final component in the visual mix. Without this in the picture the colours are too strong.

  13. OH MY! JUST SO SO DIVINE AND GORGEOUS! I have a new goal…owning a piece of jewerly like that…Ahh…only 50 more years of saving money..not that much, right?
    Amazing post as always, it is so amazing how you choose to feature only special and extraoridinary things!

  17. The jewelry is incredible, very unique and artistic!
    Have a Good Day!
    David
    VirtuallyStunning.blogspot.com

  21. Works of art that seem to be crafted by skilled artisans who spent many an hours heating the urns to a perfect temperature such the various metals, glass, etc. could be moulded in exquisite shapes.

  22. Those are so stunning!!!I just LOVELOVELOVE all kinds of jewellery..Simply can´t live without them!

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