Chanel - L’Esprit du Lion

PRESS RELEASE: 25 January, 2018

The symbol of the lion has been an important one in the history of CHANEL, ever since Gabrielle Chanel –born under the sign of Leo – embraced the symbolism, drew inspiration from and identified with the qualities of the powerful animal.

In addition to a diverse life and travels, Coco Chanel needed her own world and objects that she liked to surround herself with. She moved into the Ritz Hotel Paris at the start of the 1930s. During the day she spent her time at the 4-floor apartment at Rue Cambon 31. On her custom-made furniture (mostly made to order) had special motifs, such as the ornate Chinese screens and wall panels featuring coromandel birds and camellia flowers. Decoration included little lucky sculptures, like lions (representing her zodiac sign) and wheat motifs (a sign of prosperity).

In 2018, the lion returns with all its boldness and strength on 53 High Jewellery pieces in the L’Esprit du Lion collection of Chanel.The collection features various earrings, bracelets, rings, necklaces in yellow and white gold surrounded by diamonds, sapphires, imperial topazes and beryls. The jewels are inspired by the lion found in Gabrielle Chanel’s apartment at 31 Rue Cambon and other lion objects, like a lion clock in the Ritz.

Jewellery timepieces are featured in the collection as well, such as the „Protective” wristwatch, which shows the lion as it plays with a round-cut diamond ball amidst 456 brilliant-cut diamonds.

In the „Eternal” multi-chain necklace, various different sized diamond-set chains are joined together by the fearless expression of the sparkling big-cat, all in 18k white gold.

The „Dazzling” bracelet in 18k yellow gold shows the lion front and center, surrounded by a cascade of 15 oval-cut yellow beryls, with a total of 31,65 carats and 220 brilliant-cut diamonds.

The „Brilliant” ring in 18k white and yellow gold, stands out from the others as it consists of two seemingly seperate diamond rings connected by a short golden chain. The lower ring features the lion motif, while the upper one is adorned with Japanese cultured pearls, both parts set with spessartites garnets, yellow sapphires, brown and white diamonds.

"Protective" watch, photo: Chanel

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Chanel – L’Esprit du Lion