From 14 to 23 September, major jewelry names and art fans from all over the world will be converging on the Grand Palais in Paris for the XXVIth Biennale des Antiquaires. This will be an opportunity to view outstanding exclusive jewelry pieces presented by the top French and international houses.
Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Chaumet, Chanel, Harry Winston, Bulgari, Siegelson, Boucheron and Piaget, to name but a few. The top exclusive jewelry houses, famous antique dealers and art galleries (some 130 exhibitors) will come together for 10 days in the nave and glittering VIP lounge of the Grand Palais, fitted out for the occasion by Karl Lagerfeld. At this XXVIth biennial, organized by the Syndicat National des Antiquaires, you will have the opportunity to view pieces chosen for their rarity or their outstanding craftsmanship: porcelain, china, antique books, manuscripts, paintings, modern, contemporary and vintage drawings, decorative arts, archaeological items, etc.
Top jewelry names will be celebrating their expertise and mastery by exhibiting some exceptional pieces. Diamonds will feature heavily, set in both vintage jewelry and contemporary creations. Among pieces to be shown by the Martin du Daffoy gallery are a gold and diamond turban ring (by VCA, circa 1960) and a platinum ring with a white old cushion cut diamond weighing 16.32 carats. Also not to be missed, from Harry Winston, is a the Wave necklace with 534 brilliant-cut diamonds (60.18 carats) and a 60.14 carat pear-cut diamond, in a platinum setting. At Chanel, admire the L’Esprit 1932 collection, a homage to the house’s first exclusive jewelry collection, “Bijoux de Diamants”, created 80 years ago by Mademoiselle Chanel.
Also noteworthy is the presence of Wallace Chan, one of the greatest Chinese master jewelers. Chan, who aims to compete with the French master jewelers in Place Vendôme, will be the first Chinese jeweler to take part in the Biennial. The inventor of the Wallace Cut, a specific gem cutting technique, uses floral and insect forms, sparkling colors and juxtapositions of stones in his work. He views his creations as works of art in their own right, where on a technical level innovation meets expertise passed down through the generations.
Useful information
Tarifs: €30 per person, catalogue: €45
Special offer: Entrance for 2 people + catalogue €80
Opening times
11am to 8pm, and until 11pm on Tuesday 18, Thursday 20 and Saturday 22 September 2012.
The biennial closes at 4pm on Sunday 23 September 2012.
