L’ÉCOLE Van Cleef & Arpels Partners with Art of Heritage to Showcase Some of the Kingdom’s Sought-after Heritage Jewels

L’ÉCOLE Van Cleef & Arpels joins forces with Art of Heritage (AOH), a cultural trust that aims to foster the revival of Saudi art, craft and culture amongst newer generations, to showcase various jeweled objects from the Kingdom as part of the“Hidden Treasures: Jewelry from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia” collection, at L’ÉCOLE Van Cleef & Arpels (L’ÉCOLE), in its second Middle East edition.

Being collected by Art of Heritage (AOH), Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Board of Trustees, princesses: HRH Princess Sara Alfaisal Al Saud, HRH Princess Moudi bint Khalid bin Abdulaziz, HRH Princess Haifa Alfaisal, and HRH Princess Bassma Bint Majid Bin Abdul Aziz over 33 years, the collection: “Hidden Treasures: Jewelry from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia” will be presented to the public for the very first time at L’ÉCOLE Van Cleef & Arpels (L’ÉCOLE) event taking place from March 28thto April 13th2019 at In5 at Hai d3, in Dubai Design District. Featuring over 323 heritage jewelry pieces that were personal possessions and accoutrements of Bedouin women, “Hidden Treasures: Jewelry from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia” exhibition is considered to be one of L’ÉCOLE’s main pillar exhibitions this coming March, and will pay homage to the rich heritage of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia while shedding light on heritage jewelry making techniques, design, and history in this part of the world.

During the two week event, art and jewelry enthusiasts in the region will get the chance to closely examine and enjoy the beauty of some of the exhibited key pieces, ranging from headpieces, earrings, nose rings, waist belts, finger rings, anklets, etc. beside a selection of face veils and bejewelled textiles that were worn as accessories. Moreover, visitors and guests will get the chance to further relate to the historic background and cultural affinity amongst countries of the Peninsula.  

One of the fascinating pieces on display is The Green Malachite Brooch, an item from the 20thcentury reveling the beauty and majesty of a distinctive stone, recognizable for its green color, Malachite. This rare creation was specifically commissioned by an elite patron and features the Kingdom’s logo giving it an assertion of the country’s identity. 

Another dazzling creation that will be on display is a finger ring from the 1940s that used to belong to a daughter of his Majesty King Abdulaziz Al Saud (May Allah Rest His Soul). The ring is a design innovation in its attempt to use multiple gem setting styles with silver, gold and diamonds. An attempt at pave setting is also seen within the central cluster with the use of metal pins, although all the individual stones are actually anchored in the bezel setting.

This unique showcase of pieces that standout for their rarity, characteristics, and style, will be drawing on two of L’ÉCOLE’s core missions; opening doors to the very essence of the worlds of jewelry and watchmaking, and conveying the craftsmanship through personal experience.