Inspired by Nature: Jewels by JAR at The MET

Inspired by Nature: Jewels by JAR at The MET

On view at The Metropolitan Museum of Art now through March 9, 2014, are the most exquisite, sumptuous and mind-blowingly beautiful jewel creations. Maybe Ever. The exhibition showcases more than four hundred jewel masterworks by Joel A. Rosenthal who has worked for more than thirty-five years in Paris under the name JAR. The first retrospective of his work in America, and the first exhibition devoted solely to a contemporary gem artist ever at The MET, Jewels by JAR is truly one-of-a-kind. While I record here less than a third of this retrospective, I am particularly drawn to his creations that are inspired by nature. Ferns, Lily of the Valley, Roses, Camellias and more. There is a softness, a delicacy, and a beautiful reverence expressed through very firm and solid mediums. I have my favorites. I hope you get a chance to go and discover yours!

IMG_9485

 Camellia Brooch
2008
Seashells, diamonds, silver, gold.

Private Collection

IMG_9490

Carnation Brooch
2011
Sapphires, diamonds, aluminum, silver, gold.

Private Collection

IMG_9486

Wild Rose Brooches
1997
Sapphires, tourmalines, citrines, garnets, diamonds, silver, gold, enamel.

Private Collection, London

IMG_9483

Camellia Bracelet
1995
Rubies, enamel, silver, gold.
Les Arts Décoratifs, Musée des Arts Décoratifs, Paris

IMG_9491

Carrot Flower Brooch
2009
Diamonds, rubies, silver, gold.

Mrs. Carol Yu

IMG_9493

Pansy Pendant Necklace
1996
Garnets, diamonds, enamel, gold.

Private Collection

Poppy Brooch
1998
Fire opals, rubies, sapphires, diamonds, silver, gold.

Private Collection

IMG_9497

Five Wild Rose Brooches
1991
Oriental pearls, rubies, sapphires, amethysts, garnets, citrines, diamonds, platinum, silver, gold.

Private Collection

IMG_9501

Peach Blossom Bracelet
2013
Demantoid garnet, sapphires, diamonds, spinels, gold, silver.

Private Collection

IMG_9495

Earrings
1990
Sapphires, diamonds, silver, gold.

Private Collection

IMG_9500

Bracelet
2010
Diamonds, silver, platinum.

Private Collection

IMG_9499

Coral Brooch
2011
Coral, gold.

Private Collection

Brooches
2004
Mother-of-pearl, diamonds, silver, gold.

Private Collection

IMG_9498

Capillary Fern Brooch
1999
Diamonds, garnets, silver, gold.

Private Collection

IMG_8989

Capillary Fern Earrings
1999
Garnets, silver, gold.

Private Collection, London

IMG_9013

Pendant Earrings
2010
Black opals, diamonds, silver, gold.

Private Collection

IMG_9006

Gardenia Brooch
1987
Coral, diamonds, platinum, gold.

Private Collection

IMG_9004

Snowflake Brooch
2002
Diamonds, platinum, silver, gold.

Private Collection

IMG_9003

Cameo and Rose Petal Brooch
2011
Cameo, rubies, diamonds, silver, gold.

Private Collection

IMG_9002

Pendant Necklace
1984
Morganite, diamonds, platinum, gold.

Private Collection

IMG_9001

Sheep’s Head Brooch
2006
Oriental pearls, sapphires, silver, gold.

Private Collection

IMG_9010

Coral Bracelets
2011
Coral, gold.

Private Collection

IMG_9000

Bracelet
1995
Sapphires, diamonds, silver, gold.

Private Collection

IMG_8999

Autumn Necklace
1999
Wood, gold.

Private Collection, London

IMG_8997

String Necklace
1998
Diamonds, platinum.

Private Collection, London

IMG_8996

Bracelet
2010
Spinel, diamond, platinum.

Private Collection

Bracelet
2010
Diamond, platinum.
Private Collection, Wyoming

IMG_9510

Lace Fan Brooch
2001
Diamonds, silver, gold.

Chantal Miller

IMG_8995

Camellia Brooch
2010
Rubies, sapphires, diamonds, silver, gold.

Private Collection

IMG_8994

Tulip Brooch
2008
Rubies, diamonds, sapphires, garnets, silver, gold, enamel.

Private Collection

IMG_9549

Tulip Brooch
2008
Rubies, diamonds, sapphires, garnets, silver, gold, enamel.

Private Collection

IMG_8993

Rose Brooch
2013
Rubies, sapphires, spinels, diamonds, silver, gold.

Private Collection

IMG_9505

Lilac Brooches
2001–2
Diamonds, garnets, sapphires, aluminum, silver, gold.

Private Collection

IMG_9511

Bouquet Earrings
2013
Sapphires, garnets, amethysts, diamonds, aquamarines, aluminum, silver, gold.

Private Collection

Lilac Box
2002
Jasper, garnets, enamel, bronze.

Private Collection

IMG_9512

Pendant Earrings
2011
Beetle wings, emeralds, tsavorite garnets, diamonds, silver, platinum.

Private Collection

IMG_9515

Sautoir Necklace
2012
Turquoise, demantoid and other garnets, emeralds, diamonds, silver, gold.

Private Collection

IMG_9514

Sheep’s Head Brooch
1997
Sapphires, aluminum, gold.

Suzanne Syz

IMG_9533

Wisteria Earrings
2010
Sapphires, diamonds, silver, gold.

Private Collection

IMG_9531

Hellebore Brooch
2004
Diamonds, demantoid garnets, sapphires, silver, gold, enamel.

Private Collection

IMG_9530

Pendant Earrings
2012
Oriental pearls, emeralds, diamonds, platinum, gold.

Private Collection

IMG_9528

Strawberry Pendant Earrings
2011
Sapphires, diamonds, bronze, silver, platinum, gold.

Private Collection

Raspberry Pendant Earrings
2012
Rubies, diamonds, bronze, platinum, silver, gold.

Private Collection

IMG_9527

Raspberry Brooch
2011
Rubies, diamonds, bronze, silver, gold, platinum.

Private Collection, Hong Kong

IMG_9525

Onion Brooch
2010
Antique micro mosaic, rubies, diamonds, silver, gold, platinum.

Private Collection

Leek Brooch
1989
Diamonds, garnets, silver, gold.

Mr. D.M. Ngo

IMG_9524

Lettuce Leaf and 18th Century Micro Mosaic Rabbit Brooches
2013
Micro mosaic, garnets, diamonds, silver, gold.

Private Collection

IMG_9534

Knot Earrings
1987
Diamonds, silver, gold.

Private Collection

IMG_9539

Iris Brooch
2000
Sapphires, diamonds, silver, gold.

Private Collection

IMG_9543

Rose Bangle Bracelet
1998
Gold.

Private Collection

IMG_9545

Rose Bracelet
1993
Rubies, amethysts diamonds, silver, gold.

Private Collection

IMG_9546

Geranium Brooch
2007
Diamonds, aluminum, silver, gold.

Private Collection

Geranium Brooch
2007
Aluminum, gold.

Private Collection

Geranium Leaf Brooch
2007
Aluminum, gold.

Private Collection

IMG_9551

Lace Cuff Bracelets
2001
Diamonds, silver, gold.

Private Collection

IMG_9552

Lily of the Valley Brooch
1991
Oriental pearl, diamonds, platinum, gold.

Private Collection

IMG_9555

Hoop Earrings
2010
Emeralds, diamonds, platinum, gold.

Private Collection

IMG_9556

Gardenia Earrings
2007
Agate, diamonds, platinum.

Private Collection

IMG_9557

IMG_9558

Gardenia Ring
2004
Diamonds, silver, gold.

Private Collection

IMG_9012

Butterfly Brooches
1987-2013
Quartz, diamonds, silver, gold, sapphires, enamel, jade, rubies, rock crystal, amethysts, spinels, tourmalines, citrines, aquamarines, garnets, brown and white diamonds, chrysoprase, moonstones, topaz, platinum.

Private Collections

IMG_9517

Dragonfly Brooch (378)
1987
Rock crystal, diamonds, silver, gold.

Private Collection

IMG_9519

Dragonfly Brooch (389)
1996
Jade, sapphires, fire and other opals, tourmalines, garnets, diamonds, silver, gold.

Mrs. Carol Yu

IMG_9521

Dragonfly Brooch (393)
2005
Diamonds, rubies, silver, gold.

Mrs. Carol Yu

 

Photography Beth Horta for Sweet Sabelle.

 

6 Comments

  • by luciana, post on | Reply

    thank you so much for posting – your photographs are awesome and you cared enough to post the descriptions! i’m in tears of joy!!!!!!! have you seen the lily pads? to die for- i saw them on a tiny pic in this collage on instagram -swoon!!!!!

  • by Cristiane, post on | Reply

    Hi Beth,
    I was in awe when I saw this exhibit yesterday! Looking forward to see you again in January @ Flower School.
    Beijos e um Happy Thanksgiving para voce e sua familia.
    Cristiane

  • by G G, post on | Reply

    Ever since learning about this exhibit I’d been eating my heart out that I couldn’t see it. You have no idea how your beautiful pictures made my day!

    Thank you!

    • by Andrea, post on | Reply

      What wonderful memories your post brought back, just being in the same rooms with all that magnificence… I forgot about the wall of butterflies! The autumn necklace will always be my favorite.

      I hope you got to see the latest showat The Met, “Jewelry: The Body Transformed”.

      Thank you again!

      • by sweetsabelle, post on | Reply

        Thank you!

  • by suzan zahavi, post on | Reply

    thank you so much from Istanbul for sharing these beauties

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