"Designing Jewels: 200 years of French Savoir-Faire (1770-1970)" Exhibition by L’ÉCOLE School of Jewelry Arts and HKU in Hong Kong

Exhibition - June 19, 2025

Léon Hatot (1883-1953). Drawing of a ‘‘Peacock’’ brooch, circa 1920. Pencil and gouache on cardboard. Van Cleef & Arpels Jewelry Culture Fonds.

From June 6th to October 5th, 2025, the University Museum and Art Gallery of the University of Hong Kong (UMAG) and L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts present “Designing Jewels: 200 years of French Savoir-Faire (1770-1970)”, an exhibition that explores the rich history of jewellery graphic resources from some of the most prominent French Maisons.

René Lalique (1860-1945)

Drawing of a “Vestal Virgins” tiara, circa 1900

Pencil, ink and gouache on vegetal paper

Van Cleef & Arpels Jewelry Culture Fonds

René Lalique (1860-1945)

Drawing of a “Maenad and Sileni” bodice pin, circa 1900

Pencil, ink and gouache on vegetal paper

Van Cleef & Arpels Jewelry Culture Fonds

René Lalique (1860-1945)

Drawings of “Ears of wheat” tiara, circa 1900

Pencil, ink and gouache on vegetal paper

Van Cleef & Arpels Jewelry Culture Fonds

René Lalique (1860-1945)

Drawing for a “Swans” choker plaque, circa 1900

Pencil, ink and gouache on vegetal paper

Van Cleef & Arpels Jewelry Culture Fonds

René Lalique (1860-1945)

Drawing of a “Buddleia” tiara, circa 1900

Pencil, ink and gouache on vegetal paper

Van Cleef & Arpels Jewelry Culture Fonds

René Lalique (1860-1945)

Drawing of a“Thistle” comb, circa 1900

Pencil, ink and gouache on vegetal paper

Van Cleef & Arpels Jewelry Culture Fonds

The exhibition features a remarkable collection of approximately 100 drawings alongside 13 exquisite jewelry pieces, on loan from the Lalique Museum France and private jewelry collections from Hong Kong. It also benefits from the Van Cleef & Arpels Patrimonial Collection, combined with the Van Cleef & Arpels Jewelry Culture Fonds, established in 2019 for research, presentation and educational purposes. This exhibition is supported by the French May Arts Festival.

Vanity case, circa 1925

White gold, yellow gold, jade, onyx, mother-of-pearl, pearl, red enamel, diamonds

Van Cleef & Arpels Collection

Dancer clip, 1948

Yellow gold, platinum, white gold, rose gold, rubies, sapphires, diamonds

Van Cleef & Arpels Collection

Island Bird clip, 1963

Platinum, yellow gold, sapphires, ruby, emeralds, diamonds

Van Cleef & Arpels Collection

Offering visitors a 360-degree exploration, a satellite exhibition is hosted at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, showcasing the behind-the-scenes of one of the most iconic Zip necklace crafted by Van Cleef & Arpels. This segment delves deep into the design processes, archival practices, and technical renderings that bring such masterpieces to life.

Zip necklace design, circa 1951

Van Cleef & Arpels Archives

Zip bracelet design, circa 1960

Van Cleef & Arpels Archives

France has a long–standing, distinguished, and highly influential history of jewelry making. The exhibition “Designing Jewels: 200 years of French Savoir–Faire (1770–1970)”, along with its accompanying catalogue, explains individual achievements by showcasing the development of jewelry designs from initial drawing to gouaché and then to the final creation.

"Designing Jewels: 200 years of French Savoir-Faire (1770-1970)" exhibition in Hong Kong

Date: From June 6th to October 5th, 2025

Opening hours:

Tuesday to Saturday from 9:30am to 6:00pm

Sunday from 1:00pm to 6:00pm

Closed on Mondays, Public and University Holidays

Location: University Museum and Art Gallery, The University of Hong Kong,

90 Bonham Road, Pok Fu Lam Rd, Hong Kong

Satellite Exhibition

Opening hours: Monday to Sunday from 1:00pm to 7:00pm (except special closure)

Location: L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts

510A, 5/F, K11 MUSEA, Hong Kong

Free admission, no registration required.

Image : Léon Hatot, Drawing of a ‘‘Peacock’’ brooch, circa 1920, Van Cleef & Arpels Jewelry Culture Fonds

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