The new L'Esprit du Lion collection is another jewelry interpretation of the beloved symbol of Coco Chanel, which has become an integral part of her life and work. The superstitious Chanel, who was born under the constellation Leo, considered her meeting with the Venetian lion a sign of fate that brought her back to life - she came to the shores of the lagoon in August 1920 after the terrible loss of Arthur Capell. It was here that she discovered the luxurious Byzantine style and gold color, which turned out to be livelier and richer than her beloved black. The astrological patron Chanel and the heraldic sign of Venice formed the basis of the high collection of jewels Sous le signe du Lion ("Under the sign of the lion"), created in the Chanel jewelery workshops in 2013.
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That lion seemed to be a romantic symbol, sometimes turning into a voluminous statue of rock crystal or hairy quartz, or crumbling into fragments of a diamond mosaic: the sets were called "Lion Talisman", "Venetian Lion", "Sun Lion". L'Esprit du Lion (Lion's Spirit) is inspired by the bronze and marble sculptures from the table and mantelpiece of Coco's Paris apartment on rue Cambon. Their precious counterparts are proud, formidable predators with mighty paws and a mane made of large diamonds ("Protector Lion", "Eternal Lion", "Dazzling Lion").
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The theme of power is further emphasized by the coarse chain motif found in a wide variety of items, from earrings to the Manchette Infinite multi-row bracelet or the Audacious necklace that transforms into a belt (only 10 pieces).
In total, the collection includes 53 items made of white and yellow gold. In addition to the traditional colorless diamonds, the lion's profile and face are lined with brown diamonds, yellow sapphires and beryls of the original cut, imperial topaz and yellow diamonds, the largest of which in the Legendary necklace weighs 30.19 carats.
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Crafted by Chanel High Jewelry, this necklace became the most expensive item worth 4.4 million euros. At the opposite price pole is the Intuitive bracelet for 42 thousand euros. There is also a jewelry watch in L'Esprit du Lion: on a chain bracelet made of yellow gold with a stylized Dazzling lion's paw and with a “secret” dial hidden under a regal lion's face, carved out of yellow beryl.>