"An Eye for Beauty" exhibition, Van Cleef & Arpels

"An Eye for Beauty, the Illuminata Jewelry Collection", exhibition in Hong Kong
From 13 November 2023 to 31 March 2024
Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China

L'ÉCOLE Asia Pacific, School of Jewelry Arts

Presented by L'ÉCOLE Asia Pacific, School of Jewelry Arts, "An Eye for Beauty, the Illuminata Jewelry Collection", offers a captivating journey into the world of collecting by an eminent collector from Hong Kong. The central theme revolves around the collector's journey, exploring the interconnected aspects of beauty, jewelry, and transformation.

The exhibition represents the fourth part in the “Through the Eyes of a Connoisseur” series, in line with the previous editions, including Inaugural 20th-century American Jewelry Collection in New York (2018), followed by treasures from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (L’ÉCOLE Middle East, Dubai, 2018), and the prestigious Art Nouveau pieces curated by Kazumi Arikawa (L’ÉCOLE Japan, Tokyo, 2019). 

 

Featuring around 50 diverse creations, the exhibition represents a fusion of Western and Eastern aesthetics. It showcases European and Chinese masterpieces, reflecting the expertise of a private collector and connoisseur. Visitors discover the concept of beauty from different cultures over 300 years of art history. 

The exhibition is divided into three chapters, each representing a unique facet of the collector’s passionate journey. All pieces come from the Illuminata Collection, except for the first section.

    Diamond flowerhead brooch, 18th century, Diamonds and silver, The Illuminata Collection, L'ECOLE Van Cleef & Arpels, photo: Picspark Co

    Diamond flowerhead brooch, 18th century  

    Diamonds and silver

    The Illuminata Collection

    © L'ÉCOLE Van Cleef & Arpels, photo: Picspark Co​

Portable chest, late Ming dynasty (1573–1644), Huanghuali wood, Private Collection, L'ÉCOLE Van Cleef & Arpels, photo: Picspark Co​

Portable chest, late Ming dynasty (1573–1644)

Huanghuali wood

Private Collection

© L'ÉCOLE Van Cleef & Arpels, photo: Picspark Co​

This one present examples of Ming-era furniture, celebrating the harmonious blend of craftsmanship and elegance.

The main section features approximately 40 pieces of Western jewelry from the 18th and 19th centuries, spanning styles from the Baroque, Victorian, Belle Époque, and Edwardian eras.

In addition, a selection of contemporary pieces by renowned designers such as JAR and Carnet is on display, highlighting the intimate connection between jewelry and the wearer’s body. To illustrate this personal dimension, three ladies' garments are paired with precious ornaments, revealing the freedom that collectors possess in expressing their personal style with jewelry.

The last section of “An Eye for Beauty, the Illuminata Jewelry Collection”, devoted to Qing court jewels, provides an overview of the heritage and its evolution across generations. Traditional Chinese pieces are displayed, for example a beautiful Amber chi-dragon pendant or a Jadeite pendant, combining tourmaline, jadeite, pearls and silk.

    Amber chi-dragon pendant, Qing dynasty (1644-1911), Amber, jadeite, pearls, and silk, The Illuminata Collection, L'ÉCOLE Van Cleef & Arpels, photo: Picspark Co​

    Amber chi-dragon pendant, Qing dynasty (1644-1911) 

    Amber, jadeite, pearls, and silk

    The Illuminata Collection

    © L'ÉCOLE Van Cleef & Arpels, photo: Picspark Co​

Jadeite pendant, Qing dynasty (1644-1911), Jadeite, tourmaline, pearls, and silk, The Illuminata Collection, L'ÉCOLE Van Cleef & Arpels, photo: Picspark Co​
Jadeite pendant, Qing dynasty (1644-1911), Jadeite, tourmaline, pearls, and silk, The Illuminata Collection, L'ÉCOLE Van Cleef & Arpels, photo: Picspark Co​

The exhibition is led by Nicolas Luchsinger, President of Van Cleef & Arpels Asia Pacific, with valuable contributions from Mathilde Rondouin, Art Historian at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.

L'ÉCOLE invites visitors to immerse themselves into the enchanting world of “An Eye for Beauty, the Illuminata Jewelry Collection”. They will discover the captivating stories behind these extraordinary pieces, which are being unveiled to the public for the very first time.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Unit 510A, 5F, K11 MUSEA Victoria Dockside,

18 Salisbury Road, Tsim Sha Tsui, Hong Kong


K11 MUSEA Victoria Dockside

Opening hours

Date :  November 13th, 2023, to March 31st, 2024

Opening hours: 

Monday – Sunday

From 01:00 pm to 07:00 pm 

(Except special closures)

Entrance fee

Free admission


Guided tour

Online registration details can be found on the L'ÉCOLE Asia Pacific website


Contributors

Exhibition Curator

Nicolas Luchsinger​

President Asia Pacific, Director of the Heritage Collection of Van Cleef & Arpels

 

Scientific Consultant​

Mathilde Rondouin​

Art Historian at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts​