Published on November 04, 2024Updated on November 20, 2024
In July 2024, the Swiss high jewellery house Boghossian launched its new Palace Voyages collection in Monaco, inspired by the world’s most beautiful palaces. With both brands sharing a passion for beautiful things and luxury craftsmanship, the jeweller looked no further than Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer and the Salle Empire at the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo to unveil these new gems.
A rich tradition of travelling
Generation after generation, the Boghossian family has made its worldliness one of the keys to its creativity. It has drawn inspiration for its sumptuous jewellery collections from its excursions around the globe, following in the footsteps of its Armenian ancestors, precious stone merchants and frequent travellers.
Since then, the jewellery house, founded in 1868, has spanned generations and continents. After its first flagship boutique in Geneva in 2008, the brand has expanded its network internationally, with other points of sale in London, Gstaad, New York and Hong Kong. All it needed was one location: Monaco. The goal became reality in May 2022, with the opening of a boutique at the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, the iconic hotel on the Place du Casino Monte-Carlo, the beating heart of the Principality. An obvious choice for the jeweller, whose pieces are geared toward a clientele that is as demanding as it is refined.
A collection with a unique journey through time and space
In the same tradition of innovation and exploration, Boghossian presented its brand new high jewellery collection in July 2024. The range, which bears the poetic name of Palace Voyages, is inspired by the magnificence of the world’s most beautiful palaces.
From the farthest reaches of China to the Middle East and Europe, this glamourous journey pays tribute to fourteen architectural treasures, selected for their fine ornamentation and rich history. A symphony of elegance and grace composed by Edmond Chin, the jeweller’s artistic director for many years.
Honouring Asian palaces
The journey begins in Asia, in Beijing’s sumptuous Qianlong Palace, also known as the “Palace of Tranquil Longevity”. The Bamboo Blossom and Tranquil Magnolia sets by Boghossian feature the fine marquetry, geometric shapes and floral decorations characteristic of this building, whose construction began in 1771 at the behest of the Qianlong Emperor. The emperor only spent one night there, but the building has been perfectly preserved over the centuries. A refined example of old-fashioned Chinese architecture, combining classical Asian traditions with Western influences...
The emperor only spent one night there, but the building has been perfectly preserved over the centuries. A refined example of old-fashioned Chinese architecture, combining classical Asian traditions with Western influences...
Then it’s on to Indonesia and Taman Sari, a magnificent royal water castle listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since September 2023. Its peaceful pools and underwater tunnels were the inspiration for the Flowing Droplets diamond-set necklace, as well as Paraíba, whose colour perfectly mimics the sparkle of the water.
Encrusted with sparkling emeralds, the Floral Cascade earrings evoke the lotus flowers that adorn the palace fountains. An ensemble that perfectly captures the essence of this mystical haven.
The Asian tour ends at the Indian palace of Mysore, whose majestic lines have inspired the elegance of the Durbar Blue and Amba Arches sets.
Set with turquoise, lapis lazuli, blue topaz and baguette diamonds, the pieces seem to whisper tales of a legendary past with every movement...
The Boghossian boutique in Monaco
Since 26 May 2022, Boghossian pieces can be founded in a boutique on the first floor of the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo, on the Place du Casino Monte-Carlo. The shop showcases the Swiss maker’s unique jewellery, a product of over 150 years of creativity and gemmological expertise. The location has become a must-visit for the local clientele, made up of connoisseurs and members of royal families.
The most beautiful royal residences in the Middle East
For a change of scenery and continents, Boghossian next takes us to the Zagros Mountains in present-day Iran, home of the legendary palace of Persepolis. Built in the 6th century BC, this spectacular complex served as inspiration for the Babylon Gate necklace.
The piece’s symmetry and carving are reminiscent of the architecture and marquetry techniques used by craftsmen in ancient times. The Lapis Lotus ring, meanwhile, is a stylised, modern interpretation of a flower that, according to Mesopotamian mythology, was endowed with many virtues.
Next on the tour is Egypt and its breathtaking archaeological sites. The great city of Amarna, built under the reign of the Pharaoh Akhenaten in the 14th century BC, is still home to an astonishing palace along the Nile. A veritable lost city, whose essence has been captured in the Queen’s Papyrus and Nile Flowers pieces.
The first piece is a set of diamonds, emeralds and jadeite, continuing the geometric papyrus motif widely used in ancient Egypt. The second is an exceptional pair of earrings whose majestic inlays of blue sapphires and diamonds evoke the creative daring so characteristic of works of art from the Amarna period.
The Eastern tour ends at the Bahia Palace in Marrakech, commissioned at the end of the 19th century by the Grand Vizier of Sultan Moulay Hassan I. Its luxuriously painted panelling and architraves inspired the Mosaic Haven bracelet and earrings, beautifully enhanced with rubellite stone.
Equally impressive is the Wheel of Color ensemble, a vibrant tribute to Bahia’s remarkable cedar ceilings and richly decorated muqarnas.
A grand finale in Europe
Back in Europe, it’s time to visit the Alhambra acropolis on the Sabika Plateau, overlooking the Spanish city of Granada.
The design of the wooden ceiling in this Andalusian gem inspired the Seven Realms set, whose gradation of white and yellow diamonds is the result of a unique technique developed by the Boghossian workshops. The precious stones seem to float on the necklace, echoing the geometric motifs of the palace.
The journey continues to Potsdam, not far from Berlin, in the corridors of the Prussian palace of Sanssouci. A masterpiece of German Rococo, the music room in the royal residence, richly decorated with palmettes and rocailles, was the model for the Pianoforte Melody jewellery set.
Square diamonds and finely engraved gold structures echo the details of the ceiling in this alcove, where a Baroque piano still sits.
Finally, we head to Le Petit Trianon, on the grounds of the Château de Versailles, for the final stop on this luxurious Grand Tour. Fit for a queen, the Belvedere Beauty necklace evokes the delicate frescoes of the palace.
The Classical Essence ensemble, meanwhile, evokes details on the furniture and panelling found in the royal apartments. Two sets of jewellery that capture the femininity and elegant indifference so dear to Marie-Antoinette...
A sparkling launch party
The launch party for the Palace Voyages collection was held on 17 July 2024, in the enchanting setting of the Salle Empire at the Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo. Renowned for its opulent architecture and rich history, the venue lends itself perfectly to showcasing some 70 exceptional jewellery pieces. A dazzling event reserved only for the happy few.
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