Brazilian jewelry designer Silvia Furmanovich unveiled her latest collection entitled, Quintessence, debuting at the Couture Jewelry Show. Inspired by the enigmatic world of alchemy, Furmanovich delves into its symbolism and philosophy. Like the alchemists of old who sought to transmute base metals into gold, Furmanovich traverses the globe in search of talent and natural materials, transforming them into precious works of art.
With its celestial motifs, vibrant colors, echoes of medieval and Tibetan art, and an array of animal and natural symbols, the collection introduces new techniques and revisits the ones that are the foundation of the brand, such as Amazonian marquetry and Rajasthani miniature painting.
In Quintessence, the designer explore the symbolism of the alchemical processes through contrasting themes such as The Sky x The Earth, The Moon x The Sun and Femininity x Masculinity. Just as the alchemist seeks to distill the essence of nature, Furmanovich seeks to distill the essence of culture and craft.
Drawing inspiration from ancient cultures, medieval alchemists blended philosophy, spirituality, and practicality in their quest for enlightenment. They saw a deep connection between the cosmos and our lives, symbolized by the concept of ‘as above, so below’.
Just as the alchemists sought to unravel the mysteries of the universe, Furmanovich delicately weaves threads of ancient traditions into her creations. This connection, akin to a golden thread running through the fabric of existence, brings a tangible sense of harmony and depth to her jewelry. Each piece becomes a portal, inviting wearers to explore the symbiosis of all things and discover the transformative potential within themselves.
Notably, the collection introduces two new techniques: lacquered marquetry and woven horse mane micro-sculptures. In the innovative lacquered marquetry process, slivers of wood are enhanced by an ultra-glossy, vitrified coating, resembling traditional lacquer.
Overlaid with delicate gold detailing and precious stones, these pieces create new, yet still ultra-light silhouettes. The woven horse mane microsculptures, handcrafted by female artisans of Colombia and Chile, use natural or pigmented individual strands of horse mane, reinforced with agave fibers for structure and shape.
“The name Quintessence, represents the fifth and highest element in ancient philosophy, the essence that permeates all of nature; the purest form of beauty and creativity”, says Furmanovich. “In this collection, we strive to capture that essence and transmute it into wearable art.”
Heera Zhaveraat (HZ International) A Diamond, Watch and Jewellery Trade Promotion Magazine provide dealers and manufactures with the key analytical information they need to succeed in the luxury industry. Pricing, availability and market information in the Magazine provides a critical edge.
