"Gold is the most precious thing in the whole world, because it is immortal and never decays", says a text by Wei Boyand, dating from the Han dynasty (206 BC - 220 AD).
The School of Jewellery Arts presents a selection of masterpieces from the Mengdiexuan collection, retracing three millennia of goldsmithing in China.
Most of the jewelry presented in this exhibition was made of gold and decorated with symbolic motifs such as dragons, phoenixes, turtles, insects and floral motifs that were associated with royalty and power.
The School of Jewellery Arts also explains the different techniques used to create these Chinese works of art, such as filigree. Filigree is a technique used to create designs using fine, flexible metal wire, usually gold or silver. The wire is wound, twisted and soldered to create delicate and intricate designs, which are then attached to a more solid base to form jewelry.
A delightful exhibition that shows us the importance of gold and precious stones in Chinese culture, reflecting the sophistication and refined aesthetic of the period.
Exhibition from 1 December 2022 to 14 April 2023
