L’ÉCOLE Asia Pacific, School of Jewelry Arts 510A, 5F, K11 MUSEA
In celebration of the 5th anniversary of L'ÉCOLE Asia Pacific, a newly curated exhibition titled "Shakudō: from Samurai Ornaments to Jewelry" will be unveiled on December 11th. For one of the first exhibition devoted to shakudō, L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts highlights the technique, uses and fascinating history of this black metal traditionally used in Japan for the decorative elements of samurai swords (tsuba, menuki, kozuka, etc). For this occasion, L'ÉCOLE is showcasing 36 pieces of jewelry with European mounts adorned with shakudō elements inlaid with gold, silver and copper, depicting Japanese scenes from the Edo period. All the jewelry pieces come from a single private collection, shown to the general public for the first time.
L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, was established in 2012 in Place Vendôme, Paris, with the support of High Jewelry Maison Van Cleef & Arpels. This initiation school is open to everyone, with no special prerequisites, and it aims to introduce the public to all aspects of jewelry culture. L’ÉCOLE targets complete beginners as well as enlightened amateurs, collectors and those with a curiosity for the world of jewelry. L’ÉCOLE offers courses in three major fields: the history of jewelry, the world of gemstones and the savoir-faire of jewelry-making techniques, taught by art historians, gemologists, jewelers and artisans. The classes are all practice-based and the students experiment with gestures, skills and tools, guided by their lecturers. L'ÉCOLE also offers other activities: exhibitions, in-person and online talks, books, videos, podcasts as well as creative workshops for children and teenagers. L’ÉCOLE now has five locations: two in Paris, one in Hong Kong, one in Shanghai and one in Dubai. Moreover, since its inception, L'ÉCOLE regularly travels abroad, in Europe, America, Asia and the Middle East, for talks, exhibitions or travelling course programs that can last one to three weeks. L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts therefore contributes to the promotion and visibility of jewelry culture on an international scale.
