August 7, 2013: Chanel launches a charismatic high jewellery collection “Sous le Signe du Lion”, which showcases Gabrielle Chanel’s emblematic animal in a collection of 58 exceptional pieces. As king of the zodiac, both solar and majestic, and guardian saint of the serenissima embodying all its strength and beauty, the lion occupies a very particular place in gabrielle chanel’s imaginary world.
The “Lion Céleste” brooch in white gold and diamonds represents the lion of Venice found in Mademoiselle Chanel’s apartment with its paw posed on a globe of the world, much like the “Constellation du Lion” brooch and earrings in gold with yellow and white diamonds, yellow sapphires and rutilated quartz. The “Lion San Marco” ring is sculpted in lapis lazuli and a yellow diamond-set star with a white centre diamond surmounts this sumptuous yellow gold and platinum ring, in an edition of five pieces.
The “Lion Royal” set in platinum, white gold and diamonds is the star creation of the collection. This spectacular necklace is entirely set with diamonds and can be worn as a sautoir or in a shorter version. Its lion’s head motif can also be worn as a brooch. A pair of pendant earrings share the same theme. The baroque and voluptuous “Lion Solaire” is alive with the fire of diamonds and warmth of yellow sapphires, citrines, beryls, topaz and garnets. This set comprises a long necklace, brooch, pendant earrings and a ring.
The fluid and elegant “Lion Astral” set in white gold and diamonds is a sublime representation of a sparkling starry sky through a pair of pendant earrings, two bracelets and ring. “Lion Vénitien” in white gold and diamonds celebrates the unshakeable link existing between Mademoiselle Chanel and the Serenissima. A majestic lion’s head is the central design for the necklaces, pendant earrings, bracelets and rings, and also for a secret watch featuring an entirely diamond-set lion’s head which pivots to reveal the watch’s dial. The “Lion Impérial” set, on the other hand, combines white gold and diamonds with cultured pearls to create a true signature piece of Mademoiselle Chanel.
Creating a kind of lucky charm, “Lion Talisman” is a medallion with a lion’s head as an effigy to decorate this piece in white gold, black spinels, and diamonds. On the same theme, yellow gold medallions stamped with lion’s heads feature on two sautoirs and a bracelet combining yellow gold and multi-coloured cultured pearls.
Evoking the sumptuous byzantine mosaics that Gabrielle Chanel discovered in both Saint Mark’s basilica and on the neighbouring island of Torcello, “Lion Mosaïque” is a painting in gemstones with white gold and diamonds. This set comprises a necklace, brooch, bracelet, watch and ring. Each features a lion’s head seen in three-quarter view on a gemstone background.
Inspired by the emblematic lion, the new high jewellery collection is intimately tied to the story of Gabrielle Chanel and fully expresses the breadth and extent of Chanel fine jewellery’s creativity and know-how.
