Bye bye Biennale

The best art fair in the world closed its doors Sunday, September 18. This 28th edition of the Biennale des Antiquaires has hosted 30 000 visitors. In the magnificent case of the Grand Palais and in a simple but effective scenography by Nathalie Mane, the Biennale was different from other editions but still stirring. Surely less shiny and glamorous but more balanced in relation to the size of the stands. Antique shops have taken their place and they all presented a quality offer. Most of them are satisfied with this edition. Despite the absence of international buyers, the faithful collectors were at the rendezvous and were able to achieve great sales.

The exhibitors specialized in estate jewelry presented splendid pieces. Bernard Boisset, based Beziers, we discovered a magnificent set of earrings and brooch signed Mauboussin and an incredible band of the 19th century with blue sapphires. The expert in antique jewelry, the Daffoy Martin, based in Paris, presented a beautiful collection of clocks but our eyes stopped on glamorous pieces like thoses necklaces.

Bernard Boisset

Martin du Daffoy

The Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie staged, for the first time at the Biennale, a thematic exhibition that tells and illustrates the control of the measurement of time, from the origins to the present. Entitled “The Conquest of Time”, the exhibition has been conceived as an initiatory journey made up of six chapters plunging visitors into the heart of the highlights of this incessant demand control of time.

And jewelers in?

Despite the absence of the Place Vendome, the four jewelers who have accepted the invitation to exhibit at the Biennale, presented a very interesting offer.

De Grisogono

To mark the opening of the 28th Biennale des Antiquaires, De Grisogono has announced the acquisition of The Constellation, the most expensive rough diamond in the world. Measuring over six feet wide, weighs 813 Constellation carats and was discovered by the Canadian company, Lucara Diamond in its Karowe mine in Botswana in November 2015.

Cindy Chao

Cindy Chao presented his new masterpiece, Black Label Masterpiece Ruby Butterfly 2015-2016. This is the first Black Label Masterpiece Butterfly with a ruby of 5.16 carats be sold even before it was created. These wonderful butterflies have become the signature of this contemporary artist of fine jewelery.

Boghossian

Boghossian unveiled for the first time his creations to the french public. Jeweler based in Switzerland with the innovative spirit and bold creativity, the art of inlay with beautiful gemstones has become his signature. The house also presented a true masterpiece on this occasion: the largest imperial jade necklace known to date.

Nirav Modi

Nirav Modi took the opportunity to test his creations to the European taste before the recent opening of its new store in London. During his participation at the Biennale, the Indian jeweler presented his creations inspired by the history and tradition of his country as emerald necklace. In addition, we note the effort to seduce Western customer by a nice ad campaign with three top models with multipes beauties. Some creations of this haut diamantaire, more timeless, inspired by painting, nature or the mechanism of children’s toys, will appeal definitely the women here and elsewhere.

From now, the biennial will return in September 2017 with an annual programming. We hope that the organizers will find a fair arrangement between jewelers and antique shops to satisfy any type of clientele and lovers … and continue to delight the hearts of our readers.