LOUPE / EXHIBITIONs
Online Preview

Loupe 2nd Anniversary 'Experience The Silk Road' Exhibition

Details
April 2020 will mark the 2nd anniversary of Loupe. ‘Experience The Silk Road’ Exhibition will celebrate this milestone and highlight the diverse talents of Loupe's past and present jewellery designers. 

‘Experience The Silk Road’ Exhibition features the essence of traditional Chinese culture in Dunhuang. Inspired by the rich history and the treasures along the Silk Road, Loupe Designers-in-Residence have each created a piece of jewellery that best reflects their connection with traditional Chinese artisans. The diverse collection integrates the unique elements of Dunhuang characteristics with contemporary materials.

Hand of Mani |  Ronald Chan

18K White Gold, Ice Jade, Diamond

This collection is inspired by the legendary Dun Huang wall painting, “Thousand Arms and Eyes Guan Yin”, sacred and magnificent portrait of Guan Yin depicts the use of symbolism and body gesture to express the philosophy and practice of Buddhism. Each hand gesture and the sacred item contains different meanings and functions, a demonstration of religious training and achievement. I picked hand of skull scepter and hand of Mani for this time. Hand of skull scepter symbolizes the power of order of both holy and evil spirits, the control of life. Hand of Mani symbolizes the control of personal wealth and health.



Hand of Skull Scepter |  Ronald Chan

18K Yellow Gold, Diamond

This collection is inspired by the legendary Dun Huang wall painting, “Thousand Arms and Eyes Guan Yin”, sacred and magnificent portrait of Guan Yin depicts the use of symbolism and body gesture to express the philosophy and practice of Buddhism. Each hand gesture and the sacred item contains different meanings and functions, a demonstration of religious training and achievement. I picked hand of skull scepter and hand of Mani for this time. Hand of skull scepter symbolizes the power of order of both holy and evil spirits, the control of life. Hand of Mani symbolizes the control of personal wealth and health.



Observation of Moon in the water |  Lulu Lam

925 Silver with 18K Gold Plated and White Gold Plated, Pearl

"The idea came to Dunhuang - "Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara in Water Moon Form" in a flash of inspiration. Based on the observed and movement from the reflection of moon in the water; the moving of the river; and listen to the sound of water flow, Bodhisattva understand the truth of the ever-changing in the world. The works used the Pearl (moon) and Siler (water) to review the water mirror for moon reflection, in order to become a set of Art pieces. Using the silver and gold (water) to reflect the shadow of light blue Akoya pearl (moon), you can see the reflection of pearl light will changing in different angle.



                                        

The Movement of River and Moon | Lulu Lam

925 Silver with 18K Gold Plated and White Gold Plated

"The idea came to Dunhuang - "Bodhisattva Avalokiteshvara in Water Moon Form" in a flash of inspiration. Based on the observed and movement from the reflection of moon in the water; the moving of the river; and listen to the sound of water flow, Bodhisattva understand the truth of the ever-changing in the world. The works used the Pearl (moon) and Siler (water) to review the water mirror for moon reflection, in order to become a set of Art pieces. The observation of river and moon movement the sound of water drops.



Flying Apsaras |  Ava Chan

14K White Gold, Diamond

Dunhuang is place of strategic importance along the Silk Road. The strap of diamonds symbolize both Land Silk and Maritime Silk Road, incorporating western and eastern civilisations, leading to the ultimate prosperity (Flying Apsaras). The smooth and fluid lines represent rich cultural heritages: the flowing lines in the frescos; the harmony of rhythm and melody. This design captures space in a lightweight and floating manner.




Originally Bodhi has no Tree |  Ava Chan

14K White Gold, 14K Yellow Gold, Diamond

Numberous relics of Buddhism were unearthed in Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang. Following the Buddhist blueprint, recording the path of Sakyamuni (represented by the figure in this piece) where he attained complete Buddhahood under the Bodhi tree. The hollow-out design of the tree branches intertwining with each other is intended to demonstrate the notion of Sunyata in Buddhism. Things do not have inherent nature nor do they have permanence. Everything exists in its relation to others.




Pin Nong - Earrings |  Cynthia Lui

18K Yellow Gold, Diamond, Pearl

This series of inspiration comes from Dunhuang, a place where you can be heard. On the south wall of Mogao Cave 112, it shows different traditional musical instruments and contains unique sound memories. Guzheng is one of the most popular Chinese instruments. There is an interesting story behind the guzheng: Two sisters compete for a se (chinese instrument), and that twenty-five strings of se were broken into two halves, half of thirteen strings and half of twelve strings. Two sisters each held half of it and surprisingly play with better tone. This story is widely spreaded with two women who fight for each other are called "Zheng" (contention)." This series of necklace is a se that split of two, using purple sandalwood as main material, because wood is the main material for making Guzheng, and the diamond set on the pearl represents the plucking of string that flashing.





Pin Nong - Necklace |  Cynthia Lui

18K Yellow Gold, Diamond, Pearl

This series of inspiration comes from Dunhuang, a place where you can be heard. On the south wall of Mogao Cave 112, it shows different traditional musical instruments and contains unique sound memories. Guzheng is one of the most popular Chinese instruments. There is an interesting story behind the guzheng: Two sisters compete for a se (chinese instrument), and that twenty-five strings of se were broken into two halves, half of thirteen strings and half of twelve strings. Two sisters each held half of it and surprisingly play with better tone. This story is widely spreaded with two women who fight for each other are called "Zheng" (contention)." This series of necklace is a se that split of two, using purple sandalwood as main material, because wood is the main material for making Guzheng, and the diamond set on the pearl represents the plucking of string that flashing.




Phoenix |  I Ting Hsieh

18K Yellow Gold

Inspired by Dunhuang and Chinese mythology, Fuxi and Nuwa are human and snake hybrid figures. This phoenix brooch design represents auspicious harmony.





Silk Road Runner | Seth Carlson

18K Yellow Gold

Horses were vital to the success of the Silk Road and the exchange of ideas, goods and services across cultures. As evidenced by horse relics and effigies found along the Silk Road, the animal was held in regard for its beauty, utility and companionship to the multitudes of people who traversed the great expanse.




ASP |  Seth Carlson

18K Yellow Gold, Tourmaline

Horses were vital to the success of the Silk Road and the exchange of ideas, goods and services across cultures. As evidenced by horse relics and effigies found along the Silk Road, the animal was held in regard for its beauty, utility and companionship to the multitudes of people who traversed the great expanse.



Flying Apsaras Ribbon | Sam Wong

925 Silver with 14K White Gold Plated, Concrete

Inspired by Dunhuang flying apsaras dreesing on the mural, they fly with the fluttering dress and the ribbon while we make us this element as the main body of the design. The concrete ball of the pendent representing the bead wearing by the flying apsaras.





Flying Apsaras Ribbon | Sam Wong

925 Silver with 14K Rose Gold Plated, Concrete

Inspired by Dunhuang flying apsaras dreesing on the mural, they fly with the fluttering dress and the ribbon while we make us this element as the main body of the design. The concrete ball of the pendent representing the bead wearing by the flying apsaras.





Stone Lotus | Sam Wong

925 Silver with 14K Rose Gold Plated, Concrete

The ring is inspired by the lotus on Flying Apsaras hand. Lotus represents pure, refinded & perseverance in buddhism world. The plain concrete ball in the middle presents the flowerpistil on the mural, it creates a big contrast with the shiny rose gold petal. The ring is the metaphor of the flying apsaras lotus meaning.






Dhyana | Carrie Yang & Cecilia Ng

18K Yellow Gold, 18K White Gold, Threads

We look into the hand gestures of the Buddha in murals and other artwork from Dunhuang and explored their meanings through this project. In our research we are particularly interested in two objects in V&A which was found in dunhuang: a bamboo buddha scripture with traditional chinese satin weave and the paper flowered which was thought to be contributions from believers. So we had also incorporate these elements in our design. We choose the Dhyana (Mudra) which is the gesture of absolute balance, of meditation. To make jewellery pieces that will allow the wearers to position themselves during mediation, with the fixation on hands, the piece work as a bridging tool to connect body and mind. Besides, these jewellery can also be worn differently as necklace and ring.



Colors of Dunhuang - Bangle | Yumico Lucau

925 Silver , Transparent Crystal, White Sapphire, Red Garnet, Green Garnet, Blue Topaz, Black Onyx

Colors on murals made from natural minerals are harmoniously beautiful and powerful. The Designer is attracted to the five most represented colors; blue, green, red, black and white. The Dunhuang manuscripts rolls inspired the designer to create the bangle and the ring. The five color stones are set under crystal stones on the top of the bangle. The colors sparkle through the crystal. This represents the fact that Dunhuang Caves are a hidden gem of great cultural value. The five color stones on the surface of the bangle and ring represent letters of manuscripts. While the cylinder shape stones on the top are reminiscent of the shape of the cave.




Colors of Dunhuang - Ring |  Yumico Lucau

925 Silver, Transparent Crystal, White Sapphire, Red Garnet, Green Garnet, Blue Topaz, Black Onyx

Colors on murals made from natural minerals are harmoniously beautiful and powerful. The Designer is attracted to the five most represented colors; blue, green, red, black and white. The Dunhuang manuscripts rolls inspired the designer to create the bangle and the ring. The five color stones are set under crystal stones on the top of the bangle. The colors sparkle through the crystal. This represents the fact that Dunhuang Caves are a hidden gem of great cultural value. The five color stones on the surface of the bangle and ring represent letters of manuscripts. While the cylinder shape stones on the top are reminiscent of the shape of the cave.




Apsaras in Kshirasagara - Necklace |  Maureen Hung & Connie Tang

Upcycle Plastic, Resin, Brass, Fresh Water Pearls, Gold Gilding

According to Dunhuang Research Academy, almost 5000 pieces of Apsaras were shown on Dunhuang wall paintings, and this has significant motif in emphasising on the the cross culture. In the myth, they were born as a result of the churning of the ocean of milk - Kshirasagara Manthana, as one of the 14 Ratnas. Apsaras are a type of nymph of the clouds and waters, also a group of romantic performers inhabit the heaven of the god Indra. Our piece of work was inspired by the dance movement of the Apsara figure, we try to reflect the romantic gesture with our recycled plastic along with the wavy line pattern in metals. We would also like to embrace with the idea of the reborn and create from the story of Samudra Manthana, at the same time embodied the beauty of upcycling by turning waste plastic into gems.




Dancing Apsaras - Cuff | Maureen Hung & Connie Tang

Upcycle Plastic, Resin, Brass, Fresh Water Pearls, Gold Gilding

According to Dunhuang Research Academy, almost 5000 pieces of Apsaras were shown on Dunhuang wall paintings, and this has significant motif in emphasising on the the cross culture. In the myth, they were born as a result of the churning of the ocean of milk - Kshirasagara Manthana, as one of the 14 Ratnas. Apsaras are a type of nymph of the clouds and waters, also a group of romantic performers inhabit the heaven of the god Indra. Our piece of work was inspired by the dance movement of the Apsara figure, we try to reflect the romantic gesture with our recycled plastic along with the wavy line pattern in metals. We would also like to embrace with the idea of the reborn and create from the story of Samudra Manthana, at the same time embodied the beauty of upcycling by turning waste plastic into gems.


Horse Dream |  Masahiro Nakata

Titanium, Sapphire

Inspired by the wall paint at Dunhuang caves, the painting depicts four angels holding a horse, and two people riding it, which look realistic and impressive. 



Nautilus Structure |  Masahiro Nakata

Titanium, Sapphire

In ancient China, people exchanged the materials they needed by bartering. However, as productivity increased, and barter is no longer suitable for daily needs. Gradually shell are selected as a medium of exhcange for theiry sturdy aesthetics and ease of use.  Besides, shell could be used for decorative items which is the best gift from nature. 



Apsara |  Sabina Wong

18K White Gold, 925 Silver, Emerald, Sapphire, Diamond, Tourmaline

Dunhuang is an ancient sacred city where Chinese, Indian, Greek and Islamic cultures crossed and converged. The Flying Asparas paintings are one of the most symbolic arts of the Dunhuang Mogao Grottoes. They showcase the ingenuity of Chinese artists and are considered a wonder in the world of arts. The graceful movements of the Flying Asparas are captured perfectly through the masterful use of curves and strokes. The design of these earrings is inspired by the Flying Asparas’ magical ribbons and the Buddhist st. 




Connection |  Sarita Wong

18K White Gold, 18K Yellow Gold, Diamonds, Yellow Diamonds

In the axis of the beginning of civilization, the stars on both sides of the Eurasian continent illuminate their respective night sky. On the one hand, the natural night, the long night will be exhausted; while Plato walked out of the cave to meet the bright sunshine. Although the vast desert in the middle of the continent has no boundaries, the mountains and the mountains are stacked, but the sound of camel bells has been worn by people and civilizations, and the touching stories of the world's ethnic groups have produced a beautiful scene along the way. This link between China and the West, the beautiful and vicissitudes of the ties is the Silk Road. “Connection” was designed inspiring by eastern and western cultural interaction at the historical Silk Road.




Magnolia |  Sun Chin

18K Gold with Black Gold Plated, Diamond, Ruby, Moonstone

The pure magnolia flower symbolizes Buddhism. Implementing the original "Molding" ViMO technology and the 360-degree three-dimensional gold inlay in the designs. It can make crafts based on the vivid natural shape and put emphasis on simplicity and elegance. 




Fluttering Ribbon | Janus Ng

18K Gold, 925 Sliver, Green Chalcedony, Black Diamond, White Diamond, Mother-of-pearl, Black Enamel

"Flying Apsaras" is full of Dunhuang murals; all gods & apsaras are flying with their fluttering ribbons. The flowing ribbons are moving with the harmony of rhythm and melody, their lines are beautiful and elegant; they also look like the clouds in the sky. This set of four-pieces brooch mania pendant, which acts to be the entire fluttering ribbon when worn together; it shows the soft flow dynamic when worn independently. They can be mix and match arbitrarily or wear individually. The applications of gemstones are inspired by the usual black and green color on the murals of Mogao Grottoes in the Western Wei Dynasty. The green chalcedony, black diamonds, black enamel, and a little glitter of white diamonds are used to be the pattern of ribbon, while the Mother of Pearl is one of the favorite materials, which used in traditional Chinese jewellery & decorations.



A Fleeting Cloud - Earrings | Chan Wing Long

925 Silver, Resin, Enamel

Hope this pair of earings can bring Buddha-like ears to wearers, which can make them feel peace and quietness of the Buddha. Hands on the ears means looking for and also trying to getsomething. Create the pattern of cloud with resin and enamel technique to express all you wantis like superficial and finally you would be suffered by considerationsof gain and loss. In other words, when you are obsessed to get something, but afterthe fact, all just a fleeting cloud, nothing.






A Fleeting Cloud - Necklace | Chan Wing Long

925 Silver, Resin, Enamel

Hope this pair of earings can bring Buddha-like ears to wearers, which can make them feel peace and quietness of the Buddha. Hands on the ears means looking for and also trying to getsomething. Create the pattern of cloud with resin and enamel technique to express all you wantis like superficial and finally you would be suffered by considerationsof gain and loss. In other words, when you are obsessed to get something, but afterthe fact, all just a fleeting cloud, nothing.




Chun Feng Fu Kan |  Chen Qiliang

925 Sliver

There's nothing but a desert in Dunhuang. It is a place that spring never blows through. Only when the spring breeze pets the desert, the buds will sway in the wind, bringing hope.



Lou Lan |  Chen Qiliang

925 Sliver

A wisp of cloud and smoke is a kind of beautiful imagination, accompanied by a mysterious and strong ancient culture.