Boucheron return to the Biennale des Antiquaires
Boucheron are back at the Bienanale des
Antiquaires and they have arrived in grand style with a collection
that takes a new look at the icons of this Place Vendome jeweller
and the results are spectacular. The snake, chameleon and ivy of
the house's rich heritage are re-worked into exciting and
unexpected new forms.
In February the recently appointed
CEO Mr. Pierre Bouissou said "it is with great pleasure that Boucheron
returns to the Biennale des Antiquaires this year, an event that
glorifies our trade. With its rich heritage and innovative
creations, the collection will be a celebration of the Maison's
savoir-faire, fully revealing its unique craftsmanship". The
L'Artisan du Rêve collection on show at their 119 year old 26 Place
Vendôme boutique was stylistically varied and experimental in its
use of stones and techniques using exuberant colours and playing
with the icons that we associate with Boucheron such as the snake,
the Delilah woven gold necklace and of course the chameleon.
The Bouquet d'Ailes quite literally
trembles with light as air butterfly wings set with colourful
stones, emeralds, sapphires and diamonds all formed
into organic curves perfectly mirroring their inspiration. Using
the 'en tremblant' technique the entire necklace quivers and
flutters. Like the signature piece of the Maison, the 1867 Point
d'Interrogation necklace, the necklace forms a question mark shape
that sits delicately and asymetrically on the neck. Similarly, the
peacock inspires the Plume de Paon jewellery. Our eyes were drawn
to deep green emeralds with diamonds on necklaces, rings and
pendants that flowed effortlessly over the body. Instantly
recognisable is the Serpent necklace, perhaps the most iconic of
Boucheron's animals. In its re-incarnation, the necklace represents
just the skin of the snake and the hollow tubular links are set
with rock crystal 'windows' that allow glimpses into the diamond
settings inside. Opal, diamonds and rock crystal create a
shimmering effect for this new take on the Serpent.
Although elements of the Maison's
archives inspire each piece, a wide variety of colour schemes are
used in this new collection. Both the Nature de Cristal and Perle
au Trésor show a subtler, but no less opulent colour palette of
diamonds and opals all woven into a truly inventive design. The
Perle au Trésor continues Boucheron's tradition of jewellery that
can be worn in more than one way. A mother of pearl, diamond and
opal ball transforms and comes apart into a necklace, two brooches
and a bracelet. Look out for this enigmatic treasure chest at the
Biennale. The Nature de Cristal pieces also convey a sense of
storybook magic. We see crystal domes revealing cushion-cut
diamonds and rock crystals inside and out; the simplicity of the
idea and palette create a powerful effect as a bracelet,
brooch, or necklace.
Claire Choisne was personally
chosen by Pierre Bouissou as the new head of creation at Boucheron,
and the L'Artisan du Rêve collection is her dramatic debut. With a
creative heritage as rich and playful as Boucheron's,
the changes at the top have added a new sense of vitality to one of
Place Vendôme's most respected jewellery houses, changes that have
stayed true to the archives of old.