Precious Corals: 120 Treasures from Global Institutions

Description

L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts’ Precious Coral: From Curiosity to Treasures examines one of jewellery history’s most enigmatic materials through science, craftsmanship and cultural exchange. Jointly curated by Olivier Segura, Ann Lee and Mathilde Berger-Rondouin, with Rui Galopim de Carvalho as scientific advisor, the exhibition brings together around 120 jewels, sculptures, art objects and natural specimens from institutions such as the Coral Museum – Liverino Collection, Chii Lih Coral Museum, Taitung, the Faerber Collection in New York and the Van Cleef and Arpels Collection.

Beginning with coral’s biological reality as a deep-sea animal, it traces how species such as Corallium rubrum and Corallium japonicum have been harvested, shaped and circulated from the Mediterranean to China during the Han dynasty (206 BC–220 AD), where it served as ornament, currency and talisman.

Pre-registration is required. Every day, there are various guided tours in English, Cantonese and Mandarin. On 23 May, there are two talks held: one from 11:00 to 12:00 and another from 15:00 to 16:00.