Paris: City of Pearls

Last month, we were in Paris and London and visited several Exhibitions in addition to the leading French and English Jewellery Houses, which we will feature this month, starting with the heritage Pearl Jewels from Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier and the Albion Art Collection on display at the ‘Paris: City of Pearls’ Exhibition at the L’ÉCOLE School of Jewelry Arts in the Hôtel de Mercy-Argenteau in Paris!

We are all familiar with pearls. Sought-after since ancient times, they still inspire the great modern jewelers. But how many people know that they were at the heart of an intense trade between the Gulf and France from the late 19th to the mid-20th century? How many remember that they were at the center of the luxury industry and Parisian culture for decades?

Organized by L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, the exhibition Paris, City of Pearls, from November 21st, 2024 until June 1st, 2025, recounts the forgotten history of this amazing artistic, commercial and human adventure.

It presents a hundred pieces from about twenty of the most prestigious lenders, such as Paris Museum of Decorative Arts (Musée des Arts Décoratifs de Paris), the Petit Palais – Fine Arts Museum of Paris, heritage collections of the Maisons Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier and Fred, or the exceptional Albion Art private collection.

After a gemological introduction on the origins of pearls, the exhibition traces the history of jewelers’ passion for pearls from the late nineteenth century to the present day.

Lady Wolverton Boucheron Necklace and Earrings

Private Collection, courtesy of the Albion Art Institute

Necklace, 1890

Private Collection, courtesy of the Albion Art Institute

Cartier Sautoir, 1907

Cartier Collection, seen in Dubai last year

Necklace, 1890

Private Collection, courtesy of the Albion Art Institute

Van Cleef & Arpels Brooch, 1930

Van Cleef & Arpels Collection

Pearl Necklace, 1880

Formerly in the possession of Queen Isabella II of Spain
Faerber Collection

Henri Vever Crosage, 1905

Collection Faerber