Designing Jewels

The field of jewelry design has long remained hidden from public view. Whether functional or bearers of unfulfilled dreams, since the 15^th century these paper jewels have nevertheless been the unrevealed aspect of the models to which they have often given birth.

This work presents around a hundred drawings, mainly from the Van Cleef & Arpels Collection on Jewelry Culture, dating from the second half of the 18^th century to the beginning of the 20^th century. It highlights for the first time an unknown part of the decorative arts, in which anonymous craftsmen and artists rub shoulders with the great figures of jewelry such as Tiffany, Lalique and Vever, as well as renowned workshops such as Paillet, Brédillard and Mellerio-Borgnis.

Through the study of its technique, its authors and its use, this book allows us to understand both the issues and the richness of jewelry design on paper: at the same time a tool, an archival document and, often, a true work of art.

Under the direction of Guillaume Glorieux, university professor, director of Teaching and Research of the School of Jewelry Arts.

Texts by Michaël Decrossas, doctor of the Practical School of Advanced Studies, Stéphanie Desvaux, founder of S'toria

Text in French only