Leading jeweler participates in the first State-backed overseas Chinese jewelry art roving exhibition to promote Chinese craftsmanship and cultural exchange

Featuring feicui, or jadeite stones, as its theme, the Lin Liang — The Chinese Story of Jewellery Art: International Contemporary Jewellery Exhibition (the Lin Liang Exhibition) — a rare confluence by 39 top-tier Chinese and German artisans — opened last month at the SCHÜTT Exhibition Hall in Pforzheim, Germany. It dazzled global admirers while providing inspiration for top artistic minds from both countries.

Organized by the Central Academy of Fine Arts (CAFA), the oldest and most renowned public art institution under the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China, the exhibition champions cross-border exchanges and mutual learning between China’s and Germany’s art and cultural sectors. It gained guidance and support from the China National Arts Fund (CNAF) — China’s State-backed art patron — marking the first instance where CNAF supports an overseas Chinese jewelry art roving exhibition, while opening a new chapter for showcasing and exchanging Chinese jewelry art on the international stage.

Pforzheim is a major jewelry and watch manufacturing hub, and boasts a long tradition of exquisite craftsmanship, with 240 years of gold and jewelry processing. The exhibition is being staged at one of the world’s most important jewelry museums, the SCHÜTT Exhibition Hall, which houses over 2,000 jewelry exhibits ranging from ancient to modern times. This focus on cross-cultural exchanges aligns with the main cultural development tasks outlined in China’s 14th Five-Year Plan (2021-25) — the official blueprint for Chinese national development strategy — to bolster the influence of Chinese culture, deepen intercultural dialogues, and consolidate China’s global image.

Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group, a leading Chinese jeweler, has served as the exclusive jewelry industry sponsor at the Lin Liang Exhibition. It plays a pivotal role in promoting Chinese culture, helping to showcase and exchange Chinese jewelry art on the international stage and staying true to its vision, “To be the leading global jewelry brand that is a trusted lifetime partner for every generation”.

“Lin Lang”, originally an onomatopoeic Chinese term evoking the clear, resonant, and bell-like tinkling of feicui, has evolved to denote large collections of these prized pieces. Alan Chan, chief brand officer of Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group, said, “The theme symbolizes the connection between Eastern and Western cultures, and embodies the harmony of art and exchange of inspiration, which aligns perfectly with Chow Tai Fook Jewellery’s mission to preserve and promote cultural heritage.”

Two standout masterpieces highly praised by the CAFA for their exceptional artistic merits and superior craftsmanship — The Green Maze and The Argyle Empress — were unveiled for the first time at the exhibition, passing on Chinese culture and telling Chinese stories through jewelry. Pieces selected for the exhibition bear testimony to Chow Tai Fook Jewellery’s commitment to honoring Chinese tradition while fostering cross-cultural fusion and deep global connections via refined jewelry works.

Set among a fine lineup of quality feicui, The Green Maze shines as a veritable centerpiece. A true chef-d’oeuvre of globally revered Chinese master jewelry artisan Wallace Chan, the necklace piece, awash with an exceptionally rare shimmering, translucent green, features 48 imperial feicui beads of supreme quality totaling 846.83 carats. It is also a lavish showcase of impeccable Chinese feicui-carving craftsmanship, meticulously made to allow nine distinct styling ways.

Another eye-catching crown jewel, The Argyle Empress, designed by Chow Tai Fook Jewellery, highlighted two of Hong Kong’s iconic camellia flowers crafted out of 40.32 carats of rare Argyle pink and white diamonds from Rio Tinto Group, with 41 exquisite purple feicui beads paired.

“The piece is a glistening snapshot of a seamless integration of Eastern and Western aesthetics and cultural elements”, Chan said, pointing to its inspiration drawn from Hong Kong Camellia’s significance of resilience and perseverance.

“With high artistic value and masterful craftsmanship, we believe they are among the best selections to unveil the exquisite beauty of Chinese jewelry to the world.”

Devoted to exchange

Aiming to attract 100,000 visitors, the exhibition was curated to serve as a rare space for intercultural appreciation that kindles inspiration and innovation, using rare gemstone as the medium. Professor Teng Fei, the founder and head of the Jewelry Department at CAFA and the academic host of the exhibition, helped to inspire the partnership between CAFA and Chow Tai Fook Jewellery. She believes art educators and practitioners play a key role in strengthening mutual understanding of humanities across different geographies. Through jewelry, aesthetics and artistic philosophy, they help nurture appreciation and a sense of harmony.

The exhibition, which has met with great acclaim, offers an exciting prospect for mining ancient, culture-specific treasures with their universal resonance in the creation of world-class jewelry. It bodes well for Chow Tai Fook Jewellery’s plan to beat the drum for Chinese artistry worldwide with innovative renditions, highlighted in jewelry designs that appeal to those with modern, global tastes.

And as a Chinese house of timeless craft and beauty, Chow Tai Fook Jewellery has long recognized that jewelry’s allure is universal, one that transcends cultural background, time and geographic boundaries, Chan said.

Eternal bliss and joy

At the exhibition, Chow Tai Fook Jewellery also debuted the latest signature CTF Joie Collection — the Group’s much-anticipated sequel to the highly acclaimed CTF Rouge Collection — and amazed the crowd with the unveiling of a special German edition tailor-made for the exhibition.

Spotlighting a centerpiece in the shape of a Chinese auspicious lock married gracefully with a xi motif — meaning “happiness” — the new collection was felicitously themed “Unlocking Your Happiness”.

The CTF Joie Collection sets its eyes to “capture the joy of everyday moments in its countless forms — from lovers’ laughter to the warmth of family gatherings” —  all the while paying tribute to “deep connections between two people”, symbolized by an auspicious lock component.

The Collection includes necklaces, rings, earrings, and standout accessories such as a crossbody mini pouch, pocket chain, and belt, and is also presented with both a diamond-featuring and a pure gold option.

Several selected designs incorporate a unique rotating mechanism that allows center lock pieces to swivel, therefore, to close and open as an antique pedal lock in use, with a splash of Chow Tai Fook Jewellery’s signature timeless red running through the whole collection, further enlivening the collection’s aesthetic.

The CTF Joie Collection extends the storytelling  and the success of the CTF Rouge Collection, which was launched last year to celebrate Chow Tai Fook Jewellery’s 95th anniversary.

The CTF Rouge Collection, with its modern rendition of fu, the Chinese character for the words “blessing” and “fortune”, is not only part of the brand name but also holds a significant cultural importance. The precious pieces, blending conventional Chinese craftsmanship with contemporary design, garnered an overwhelming customer response since its launch last year.

The Lin Liang Exhibition marks a new chapter for Chinese jewelry art on the international stage. Support from the Chinese Consulate in Frankfurt, Pforzheim’s local government, the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, and the German jewelry association illuminates the enthusiasm for cultural exchange between both countries.

Chow Tai Fook Jewellery’s participation extends Chinese jewelry craftsmanship beyond borders, bridging tradition with innovation to celebrate the timeless splendour of Chinese artistry.

wanqing@chinadailyhk.com