Boucheron Untamed Nature: A living encyclopedia of high jewellery
The unassuming elegance of nature has always provided Frédéric Boucheron with inspiration to create some of the most sophisticated pieces of jewellery. From daisies and thistles to beetles and bumblebees, these elements allowed the founder to build an extensive library of over 600 works and an archive of truly exceptional creations.
This year, the Maison offers a fresh perspective on flora and fauna, introducing 28 new pieces in its latest Histoire de Style collection, ‘Untamed Nature’. Under the direction of Boucheron’s creative director Claire Choisne, the Maison has reimagined iconic designs from its archives while introducing multi-wear jewellery that is as functional as it is visually striking.
One standout piece from the collection is the Airelles, a versatile necklace inspired by lingonberries. Crafted from white gold and pavé-set with diamonds, it features cascading stems. These stems incorporate an intricate mechanism, enabling easy detachment for use as a brooch. Further enhancing the piece are 84 handcrafted leaves, each shaped into a delicate teardrop and illuminated by a snow-setting technique.
Another notable design is the Chardon, a necklace reinterpreted from an 1878 thistle brooch found in the archives. Like the Airelles, it is crafted from white gold and pavé-set with diamonds. This piece is also designed for versatile wear, allowing the leaves to be detached and worn as a brooch.
The three-dimensional contours and intricate details of the thistle were meticulously recreated using computer-aided design. Its flame-shaped openwork lends the piece an organic, natural quality, while also reducing its weight and enhancing the brilliance of the stones.
The Chardon further showcases Boucheron’s masterful craftsmanship through the use of three distinct types of diamond settings, alongside a classic bezel setting, creating a captivating interplay of light and texture.
While the collection draws heavily from the archives, the Maison has also introduced new inspirations to its jewellery repertoire. The Fleur de Carotte is a prime example, inspired by the delicate bloom of a carrot flower, with its cluster of tiny blossoms creating a soft, airy effect. This piece is crafted from white gold and adorned with diamonds, employing a combination of three distinct setting techniques alongside a bezel setting to achieve its ethereal look.
Nature’s influence extends beyond flora to the world of insects, giving rise to two striking pieces: the Scarabée Rhinocéros and the Papillon de Nuit.
The Scarabée Rhinocéros pays homage to a rhinoceros beetle brooch from the archives but has been reimagined with modern versatility. This contemporary piece can be transformed into a two-finger ring, thanks to a clever mechanism concealed beneath the design. It possesses a lifelike quality, with wings crafted from mother-of-pearl, carefully shaped to give the impression of an insect gently resting on the hand. Metal partitions highlighted with black lacquer mimic the delicate veining of the wings, adding depth and contrast to the piece.
Similarly, the Papillon de Nuit draws from the archives but has been transformed into a versatile piece of jewellery that can be worn as either a brooch or a hair ornament. Inspired by a moth, it features four wings crafted from white and grey mother-of-pearl, each shimmering with unique iridescent hues.
The wings are detailed with hand-engraved veining, further enriched with black lacquer dots and baguette-cut diamonds at the wingtips, lending an exquisite refinement to the piece.
Through ‘Untamed Nature’, Boucheron once again demonstrates its mastery in blending the beauty of the natural world with innovative design, reaffirming its place as one of the leaders in the world of high jewellery.
Visit Boucheron for more information.
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