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Inspired by the past and the present, Lydia Courteille's jewelry pieces are the heirlooms of the future to be fought over by collectors for many generations to come
Parisian jeweler Lydia Courteille has been making a very special name for herself over the past thirty years; with her avant-garde and unusual jewelry designs, she has been keeping the Place Vendôme Jewelry Houses on their toes. She is always two to three steps ahead of the fashion world and her inventiveness and daring in the world of high jewelry is legendary.
Taking her inspiration from cultural landmarks in France and from numerous historical and literary sources including film, she has combined her love of unusual gemstones with color combinations that speak to the senses: her chlorophyll green in the Amazonia collection, the sunny bright vitamin C oranges of her Xochimilco collection and the azure blues in the Abysse collection all tease our imagination.
Famous for her memento mori and vanity rings, she combines symbols of faith with reminders of mortality to create a juxtaposition of meanings for the wearer to ponder upon. Never macabre and always witty, her edgy jewels recount the tales and the cultural differences from every part of the globe. She deliberately combines symbols to create a duality in her jewels, such as the sickle and hammer of the Soviet period with the ultra-femininity of eighteenth century jewelry design imposing contrast and debate in her Scarlet Empress collection.
To see, to touch and to wear Courteille's jewels is to travel to rarely visited spots in the world, from the sulfurous volcanic landscape of the Danakil desert to the remote tribes of the Omo Valley and the Bontoc people of the Philippines.
Her jewels have a presence, a femininity, designed by a woman, they demand respect; they are for strong, confident, women.
The spectacular new biography of unique Parisian jeweller, Lydia Courteille
Charts Courteille’s voyages of creation and discovery
Includes the stories behind some of the most idiosyncratic jewels of the past 40 years
A celebration of the famous women who inspired Courteille’s life and work
“The Wonderful World of Lydia Courteille Explored in New Book.” — JCK Online
“…The colorful, eye-catching gemstones splashed across each page are a feast for the eyes, and in a poignant display, Courteille’s playful pieces
are depicted alongside illustrations of the women who inspired them.” — Only Natural Diamonds
“Sometimes provocative, sometimes sensual and always full of passion, Courteille puts jewels in the spotlight that beguile, enchant, surprise and
are definitely real eye-catchers.” — Lovely Books
For 40 years, Parisian jeweller Lydia Courteille has been confounding the Place Vendome jewellery houses with her bold and
brazen designs. Her unique and avant-garde style is legendary. Her collections spark the senses. In this impassioned new biography, Juliet
Weir-de la Rochefoucauld takes us on a voyage around the world, sharing the stunning locations and famous women from whom
Courteille draws inspiration.
In the disposable world of 21st century consumerism, amidst the monotony of marketing algorithms and ceaseless production lines,
Lydia Courteille has forged her own creative path, refusing to let the individuality of her work slip from her fingers. Her jewels crystalise
memories, honour the dead, make powerful social statements, poke fun at modern absurdities, and transport us to the other side of
the planet. Guided by an acclaimed author and jewellery expert, this colourful monograph renders her odysseys of creation and
discovery in stunning visual detail.
Published 7th Jun 2023