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Michele Della Valle on His Whimsical Jewels
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BY SOTHEBY'S | Sep 15, 2020
This September Sotheby’s is pleased to present a capsule collection of jewels created by renowned jeweller Michele della Valle. Ahead of the sale, we caught up with the jeweller to find out about his inspirations, favourite gems and the unique gift he gave to Sophia Loren.
Sotheby's: Do you have a customer in mind when you're designing pieces?
Michele della Valle: Not any longer. In the past I've been inspired by some great personalities that I have much loved, my myths. I published a book called Jewels and Myths, featuring Maria Callas, Queen Elizabeth II, Rudolph Nureyev, Sophia Loren, my mother and many others, dedicating a jewel to each one of them. Nowadays, it is the very stones I use that provide me with creative inspiration.
S: What are your favourite gems to work with and has that changed over your years of experience?
MdV: Many years ago my favourite gemstones were rubies and multicoloured sapphires. Today I no longer look at the value of a stone, but at its beauty. There are semi-precious stones that attract me and communicate strong emotions. I like color combinations and I don't hesitate to surround a precious emerald with beautiful amethysts . Green and purple is a wonderful juxtaposition!
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Symbols of Power in Archaic Bronze Forms
Chinese Works Of Art Dec 10, 2020
Bronze ritual objects bear the mystery of their origin. They invite you to consider how they might have emerged from an ancient tomb or a burial pit – coming to the surface perhaps when the topsoil erodes from millennia of rain and wind. These treasures are understood to be more than ornamental objects; they may be considered the height of metalcraft and artistic expression in an ancient period of history.
The archaic bronze vessels reflect the spiritual aspirations from the early beginnings of the Shang and Zhou dynasties. While the precise meaning of the objects have obscured through the passage of time, they have become tangible symbols of the interaction between art and ritual. Having an essential function in sacred rites of leadership – of securing harmony between the spiritual and earthly realms – the bronze ritual objects took on the symbolic meaning of political sovereignty and the divine authority bestowed upon ancient rulers.
Casting and molding methods during the Shang dynasty marked a significant innovation over the earliest bronze ritual vessels, which were forged by hammer. The new techniques gave rise to more sophisticated, large scale production, and the development of intricate designs and new forms...
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