Ancient gods from Switzerland

Splendid bracelet by Benoît de Gorski with first-class antique gems, rubies and pearls, ca. 1990

Description

This description was automatically translated from German. If you have any questions about this piece of jewellery, we will be happy to help!

The jewellery creations of Geneva goldsmith Benoît de Gorski are legendary: each piece speaks its own individual language of form - yet the master's stylistically confident taste unites all his creations into a common whole: It is a great pleasure in luxury and precious gems that is common to all designs. But only the best and most beloved pieces in the collections also share de Gorski's greatest passion with their creator: his love of the art of antiquity. Benoît de Gorski has been collecting ancient art for years; is involved in various associations and museums in Switzerland and France - and always creates, in small numbers, pieces of jewellery designed around antique gems. The bracelet presented here, dating from around 1990, brings together no less than five of these small-format antique works of art: The intaglios in red carnelian and layered agate, respectively, are works of the late Roman Republic or the 1st to 2nd century AD. Right in the middle of the bracelet is set the most impressive gem of the piece: We see, cut into a carnelian, Gaius Julius Caesar, in profile to the left. The gem, the largest of the bracelet, was created in the years around the turn of the century. It convinces by the accuracy, the naturalism and the beauty of the representation. On top of Caesar is a gem in Lagenstein, which was created in the same period. It shows a youth in portrait looking to the left in a likewise enchanting cut. He wears a headband, which suggests that he is a hero, a revered fighter in battle. The remaining three gems, two each in carnelian and one again in agate, are of somewhat later date; we date the stone carvings to the 1st to 2nd century AD. Here we see Hermes, the ancient messenger of the gods, twice. The god of merchants and travelers stands naked before us in the contrapposto. We recognize him easily by his staff, the caduceus, and the purse, which he also holds in his hand. In addition, we see a warrior in armour, with helmet in front of a column as a badge of honour. De Gorski has set the five intaglios in high-carat gold and combined them with first-class large pearls and the best rubies imaginable. Thus, the precious setting of the band matches the quality and value of the ancient artwork. Together with the masterful workmanship, the result is a piece of jewellery that can satisfy all the senses: The feeling that notices a heavy and precious object on the arm, the look that delights in the materials and the beauty of the piece, and the hearing when the band worn produces a light, unobtrusive sound that always reminds us of the presence of this true work of art. On ancient gems, see Erika Zwierlein-Diehl: Antike Gemmen und ihr Nachleben, Berlin/New York 2007.

Size & Details

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Ancient gods from Switzerland

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