The fabulous destiny of the diamonds of Tavernier.
On your calendars, The School of Jewelry Arts, With the support of Van Cleef & Arpels, we propose to start the year with one of the most fabulous and mysterious stories: the story of the Tavernier diamonds acquired by Louis XIV.
In the annals of history, there are few narratives as captivating and mysterious as that of the Tavernier diamonds. A unique collection acquired by the emblematic monarch, Louis XIV. It is a story that spans from the bustling streets of the Great Mogul India to the grandeur of the Palace of Versailles. This story recounts the daring voyages of the merchant Jean-Baptiste Tavernier in the 17th century.
Jean-Baptiste Tavernier, a name that resonates like an exotic melody. He was much more than just a merchant; he became the confidant of the jewels that dazzled the court of the Sun King. The beginning of this extraordinary saga dates back to 1668, when Tavernier presented the king with some thousand diamonds brought back from the distant lands of India.
However, only twenty of them stood out for their exceptional brilliance, overshadowing all the other stones.
Magnificent, Exceptional, unparalleled... Moreover, he brings back from these trips the most beautiful diamonds in history. It should be noted that if a few thousand diamonds were brought back from India by Jean-Baptiste Tavernier and were offered to King Soleil in 1668; only twenty of them stand out for their brilliance. Except for the blue diamond, they disappeared in the 19th century.
The exhibition of the School of Jewelry Arts transports us into the footsteps of Tavernier. For the first time, it unveils dazzling reproductions of these twenty exceptional diamonds. Magnificent, exceptional, and unparalleled, these jewels trace the fabulous destiny of their creator. They illustrate the link between the mysteries of the Golconde diamond mines and the splendor of the Palace of Versailles.
It is important to point out that, despite their timeless brilliance, with the exception of the blue diamond, these twenty precious gems mysteriously disappeared during the 19th century. An enigma that has piqued the curiosity of history and art enthusiasts for decades.
It is thanks to a remarkable scientific collaboration between the School of Jewelry Arts, Professor François Farges of the National Museum of Natural History, and master lapidary Patrick Dubuc that these lost jewels are now returned to the public in the form of replicas of exceptional beauty. A feat that combines modern jewelry expertise with a passion for bringing these lost treasures back to life.
The exhibition organized by The School of Jewelry Arts It continues its commitment to passing on the culture of jewelrymaking, the know-how, and cultural exchanges. An opportunity to discover the Indo-Mogol sizes of the 17th century (hidden by European sizes), to take a different perspective on diamonds, and to immerse oneself in a fabulous treasure hunt.
The exhibition thus offers a unique opportunity to delve into the fascinating history of Jean-Baptiste Tavernier. This intrepid traveler whose legacy now resides in these twenty revived diamonds, ready to captivate a new generation of admirers. An adventure that transcends time, linking France’s glorious past to the timeless splendor of the Tavernier diamonds.
Meet at The School of Jewelry Arts to discover this historical reconstruction.
From January 23 to January 31, 2018.
On Rendez-vous after January 31, 2018.
The School of Jewelry Arts
31 rue Danielle Casanova 75002 Paris
