CINDY CHAO The Art Jewel has announced the induction of the 2018 Black Label
Masterpiece XVIII “Peony Brooch” into the William and Judith Bollinger Gallery of the V&A in London on 19th May, 2021.
The one-of-a-kind Black Label Masterpiece “Peony Brooch,” set entirely with rubies and purple coloured titanium, is dynamic and boldly beautiful yet simultaneously feminine, charming and ethereal.
The deep red petals and contrasting yellow pistils add a striking impression of the intensely
hued, bold and kaleidoscopic peony flower.
Dr Tristram Hunt, Director of the V&A, said: “Cindy Chao’s Peony Brooch is an exquisite and
virtuoso celebration of nature’s beauty, as well as a deeply personal piece. The undulating petals studded with rubies, once part of a family heirloom, were first carved in wax, then cast in titanium to create a complex lattice of individual settings that was 10 years in the making.
“The brooch is a testament to Chao’s artistry, while the peony itself is a symbol of good fortune in Chinese tradition, and imbued with meaning for the original wearer, who, at the time, was battling a life-threatening illness. We’re delighted that the Peony Brooch has joined our collection.”
