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Voice of Jewels


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  • Discover Egyptomania, a jewelry inspiration

    01:36||Season 12
    Ancient Egypt is one of humanity’s oldest civilizations. Its pyramids, sarcophagi, hieroglyphs, and mysterious gods have shaped the imagination of artists, creators, and notably jewelers. The jewels inspired by the Egypt of the Pharaohs are at the heart of this new season. Visit a goldsmith’s workshop in Byblos and the boutique of a famous Italian antique dealer, enter Tutankhamun’s tomb, and delve behind the scenes of the 1961 movie Cleopatra. Necklaces, brooches, bracelets, jewelry sets… These pieces, crafted from gold and adorned with colored stones, not only reflect the mysteries of ancient Egypt but its enduring legacy. Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels. With the participation of Emmanuelle Amiot, PhD in Art History, and Senior Research project manager at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts; Céline Gaslain-Leduc, PhD in Archeology & Art History and Researcher à L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts; and Valentin Boyer, PhD student in Egyptology at the Sorbonne University and teacher at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts. Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini, and produced by Bababam.

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  • 4. [Historical Jewels] E04⏐Catherine de Medici's Love Talisman

    11:59||Ep. 4
    Have you ever heard of abraxas? These are talismans in the shape of oblong shields, covered with motifs inspired by Egyptian, Greek, and Roman mythology, and engraved with Kabbalistic prayers, Hebrew words, and magical symbols. One could easily believe that these strange jewelry pieces belong to the wizards of tales and legends…And yet, they were made by a human hand! No surprise then that the Queen of France, the feared Catherine de’ Medici, had her very own talisman, one that would fuse jewelry art … and alchemy!Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.With Inezita Gay-Eckel, Jewelry Historian and Lecturer at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini and produced by Bababam.
  • 3. [Historical Jewels] E03⏐Salammbô, the quintessential femme fatale and the unique brooch by René Lalique

    13:08||Ep. 3
    “It was in Megara, a suburb of Carthage, in the gardens of Hamilcar…”This is the opening sentence of Salammbô, Flaubert’s great historical novel, which has become a cult classic. Just like its heroine … the Carthaginian princess with dazzling finery and a tragic destiny.Salammbô was a profound source of inspiration to the artists of the Belle Époque and particularly, one of its avant-garde jewelers: the audacious René Lalique.But how did a jeweler dare to give substance to such a sensual, extravagant masterpiece?Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.With the participation of Charline Coupeau, doctor in art history, jewelry specialist, gemologist and researcher at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Jean Ann Douglass and produced by Bababam.
  • 2. [Historical Jewels] E02⏐The “lechuga”: the 1,400 emeralds monstrance

    13:51||Ep. 2
    In Spanish, the word “lechuga” means lettuce. But it is also the nickname for a sacred object, a monstrance adorned with so many emeralds that it takes on the color of lettuce. These precious stones come from the famous mines of Colombia, known for centuries by the native populations. Even today, these mines are the source of some of the world’s most beautiful emeralds.  The monstrance, a masterpiece of goldsmithing and a symbol of the encounter between indigenous and European cultures, has survived time and history. Now a national treasure, it once almost disappeared forever. Without a doubt, it is truly miraculous that this remarkable object can thankfully be still admired today.  Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.With the participation of Marie-Laure Cassius-Duranton, gemologist and art historian at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini, and produced by Bababam. 
  • 1. [Historical Jewels] E01⏐Jeanne du Barry's Necklace, or the Diamonds of Courtesans

    13:05||Ep. 1
    Diamonds are often thought to have been exclusively reserved for kings and queens, treasures meant for royalty. However, there is another category of individuals who adorned themselves with these precious gems, treating them as trophies and even weapons for liberation - the courtesans!At the forefront of these courtesans is a woman whose romantic destiny captivates hearts and even opens the Cannes Film Festival: Jeanne du Barry. Born into the common folk, she rose to the rank of a countess and became the favorite of the King of France! She left behind a legacy as a defender of writers and artists - from Voltaire to Fragonard - and also as an avid collector of jewelry.Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.With Inezita Gay-Eckel, Jewelry Historian and Lecturer at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts and Léonard Pouy, Professor of Art History and Content and Transmission Manager at L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini and produced by Bababam.
  • Delve into the historical jewels of L'ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts

    00:55|
    Some jewels are like history books… The most beautiful and mysterious pieces have often belonged to famous figures, and the events they have witnessed are worthy of an adventure novel! This summer, Voice of Jewels invites you on a voyage through space and time, from ancient Carthage to Versailles and Bogota, to the Age of Enlightenment, as well as taking in the intrigues of the French court during the Renaissance! Rediscover stories of love and power, where jewels are synonymous with faith, bravery, and luck!Voice of Jewels is a podcast by L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini, and produced by Bababam. 
  • 4. [Myths and legends of gems] E04⏐Nero and the Emerald

    13:25||Ep. 4
    In Emerald City, the enchanted city in The Wizard of Oz, everyone wears glasses with green lenses. But did you know that this practice actually dates back to ancient times? To a Roman emperor in fact, and his passion for a precious green stone: the emerald. For centuries, the emerald was believed to have almost magical properties, including the ability to improve eyesight.  Fascinated by this stone, Emperor Nero always carried one with him. According to legend, he even watched chariot races while looking through an emerald. And as surprising as this may seem, some believe that this was the very first pair of sunglasses!  Voice of Jewels, a podcast from L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts supported by Van Cleef & Arpels. Unveiling the stories and secrets behind History’s most fascinating jewels.With the participation of Marie-Laure Cassius-Duranton, gemologist and art historian at L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts.Written by Martin Quenehen and Aram Kebabdjian, performed by Edoardo Ballerini, and produced by Bababam.