L'ÉCOLE China, School of Jewelry Arts, supported by Van Cleef & Arpels, presents “Stage Jewels of the Comédie-Française”, an exhibition showcasing stage jewelry from the collection of the Comédie-Française, France’s renowned theater company. Journey through French theatre history and discover over one hundred stage jewels, documents, and artifacts, all brought to life within an evocative theatrical scenography.
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The Comédie-Française is France’s most iconic theater company and one of the oldest in the world. Also known as the “Maison de Molière”, it has been at the heart of French theatrical tradition for over three centuries, performing a rich repertoire that blends classical and contemporary works.
Made mainly of non-precious materials, stage accessories, when they were not used to drive the plot, displayed the social status of the actors who wore them. On close observation, they impress with the finesse of their design. The crafting of some of them was inspired by high jewelry.
This ground-breaking exhibition features over one hundred accessories, pieces of art and documents, enabling visitors to discover the fascinating destinies of prominent figures from the French stage: Talma’s gilt-metal laurel crown donated by Napoleon, Rachel’s jeweled tiaras, the tunic worn by Mounet-Sully in Racine’s Athalie, Sarah Bernhardt’s brooch made by René Lalique...
Impressive costumes have also been borrowed from the French National Center for Theatrical Costume and Design. In addition, paintings, gouaches, miniatures, manuscripts and photographs invite the visitor to travel back in time, from the 18th century to the Belle Epoque and Romanticism, via 19th century Orientalism.
The “Stage Jewels of the Comédie-Française” is also a special event of the 19th Festival Croisements. The exhibition not only showcases the artistic charm of French stage jewelry, but also aims to deepen the dialogue and mutual understanding between Chinese and French civilisations through the artisan spirit that is common to the two countries.
