Paris, Capitole de la Perle, L’École des Arts Joailliers

Dolce & Gabbana is a tough act to follow, 

So I went to the Pearl exhibit at L'École des Arts Joailliers.

Van Cleef & Arpel

A little “Luxe, calm et volupté” never hurt anyone.

Tête de mouton by Jar

The exhibit is free and on till 1 June, but you need to reserve.

My first visit to their new mansion since they moved from Place Vendôme last year to 16 bis, boulevard Montmartre, 75009.

The focus is pearls in Paris from the 1860s - 1920’s, when the prime source was coming from the Arab-Persian Gulf.

Parisian women were draping themselves in ropes of pearls like mad. Pearls were closely tied to Orientalism in painting and theater 

Dresses had pearls sewn onto them. There was a mania, a frenzy for pearls.

A stunning Cartier bracelet.

An Arte Nouveau bracelet. 

Did I mention Bizet’s utterly divine, The Pearl Fishers was playing 🎵 in the background (which I’m playing on repeat). I’m really liking appropriate background music that enhances an exhibit.

 Snippets of 20s silent films 🎥 visit a Paris jewelry shop add to the ambience.

Beautiful pearlized shells 🐚 on display. Who hasn’t, as a kid, thought they discovered a pearl in their clam or oyster 🦪 shell😆

I suppose the financial crash of 1929 put a speedy end to sugar daddies supplying gay, young things with endless ropes of pearls 😢  

A very Parisian exhibit blending cultural history & artisan skills. They are open till 9:00 pm on Thursdays.

I found another yummy sandwich 🥪 practically next door to the exhibit

At Focaccia Novettino…a good, satisfying sandwich can be a thing of beauty

When you don’t want to bother with a white tablecloth solution.

Still some holiday lights up on Paris streets 🥰🐻💋