Chanel High Jewelry Transforms The Iconic Wheat Sheaf Talisman
Les Blés de CHANEL collection, Moisson d’Or” bracelet in 18K white and yellow gold set with a 5.1-carat marquise cut yellow sapphire, 14 marquise-cut diamonds 115 brilliant-cut 4 brilliant-cut yellow sapphires and 283 yellow sapphire beads CHANEL Fine Jewelry
The symbol of the wheat sheaf (one of my personal favorites), which has represented prosperity, abundance and happiness throughout history, takes its place among the iconic talisman and motifs in Chanel’s High Jewelry Collection. The new jewels are named Les Blés de Chanel, and are comprised of rich, lifelike gold stalks laden with marquise shaped diamonds, which evoke the ears of wheat. The collection also recalls new blooms and braided and bunches of wheat blowing in the breeze in a bevy of necklaces, rings brooches and earrings. These come to life in yellow sapphires, tourmalines, aquamarines and emeralds and one spectacular 25-carat intense yellow diamond.
Although Chanel fine jewelry is predominately associated with shooting stars and comets, based on the first diamond collection, Coco herself launched in 1932, the wheat sheaf is noted as being one of her good luck charms. Her apartment at 31 Rue Cambon, was decorated with wheat sheaves in sculptures, paintings and home objects in every room which included a drawing of a single ear of wheat, a gift from Salvador Dali and a wheat table in bronze that Robert Goossens designed for her. Today the table adorns the recently refurbished Coco Chanel Suite at the Ritz Paris, where the new collection was unveiled during Paris Couture week in July 2016 across the square from the Chanel’s jewelry and watch flagship boutique.
Street art’s founding father Gad Weil was commissioned to create black lacquered boxes filled with wheat, installations which lead up to the collection preview at the Ritz on Paris’ renowned Place Vendome. The theme continued inside the suite with miniature displays and wheat filling the bathtub.
Les Blés de CHANEL, Moisson d’Or earrings in 18K white and yellow gold set with 2 marquise-cut yellow sapphires ,10 brilliant-cut yellow sapphires , 26 marquise-cut diamonds, 172 brilliant- cut diamonds and 182 yellow sapphire beads for a CHANEL Fine Jewelry
Gabrielle (Coco) Chanel was born on August 19th—which fell during the harvest festival—it represented all that was bountiful as well as rejuvenation and renewal. It might be a coincidence that Chanel was born during this time– or it could be that it was in the stars for a woman who held talisman and lucky charms in high regard and whose career would prosper in plentiful creativity.
One will never know, but the new collection is a perfect homage to the woman whose talent and personal style knew no bounds.
Les Blés de CHANEL Premiers Brins necklace in 18K white gold set with 350 brilliant-cut diamonds. CHANEL Fine Jewelry
