Next month, Sotheby’s Diamonds, the retail boutique specialising in the world’s finest diamonds, will stage an exhibition dedicated to one of its most iconic designs: The Tree Brooch. The retrospective, to take place at Sotheby’s Hong Kong from 12 until 19 September, will showcase a selection of the most arresting designs created over the last decade, all unique pieces capturing Sotheby’s Diamonds’ matchless mastery in marrying world-class diamonds with unexpected gemstones and materials.
Discussing the forthcoming exhibition, Patti Wong, Founder and Chairman of Sotheby’s Diamonds, said: “The Tree Brooch caught the imagination of collectors when it was created 10 years ago and has turned into an iconic design through the constant reinvention of its motif. There’s something visceral and poetic in it, which makes it universal. It also captures Sotheby’s Diamonds’ unique proposition and indissoluble link to the art: diamonds are the masterpieces, always at the heart of the composition, their light and life the soul of the jewel.”
The Tree Brooch harks to the very roots of humanity and jewellery design. The collection was inspired by the tree of life, an ancient symbol for creation, knowledge and immortality across cultures and civilisations. Widely interpreted in art, the tree motif is recreated in this series in stylised forms and colour palettes through the use of jadeite, organic amber and maw-sit-sit which depict the glorious changing seasons and the riotous richness of nature. The artfully carved trees blossom effusively with pear-shaped white or yellow diamonds, accented with budding coloured stones including autumnal onyx, pink opal representing the soft tones of spring and fiery purple sapphires flushed with the spirit of summer.
The Tree Brooch also defines itself by its versatility and reminds us that as one of the earliest forms of jewellery, brooches can be worn in various occasions and in different ways - in groups of clusters, for individuality, on the belt, at the waist, on the shoulder or in the hair.