Anna Hu Strikes a Chord at Sotheby's

Fashioned after the ancient Chinese instrument, the pipa, this gorgeous pendant was designed by Anna Hu. Five of her exquisite musically-inspired jewels sold at Sotheby's as part of their Hong Kong Magnificent Jewels and Jadeite Sale. Photo courtesy Sotheby's.   Anna Hu, child prodigy cellist turned jewelry designer, struck a chord at Sotheby's Hong Kong to the tune of nearly $6.7 million. Given that Sotheby's offered only five of her jewels in the sale, that number is staggering. Above all, at just over $5.78 million, this gorgeous necklace centered by the white and yellow diamond pipa pendant featured in the photo above stole the show.  

The Dunhuang Pipa Necklace

Dunhuang

In 111 BC, Emperor Wudi established Dunhuang as a military outpost to protect his holdings against the nomadic Xiongnu. Eventually, Dunhuang grew into a cultural center of commerce along the Silk Road. Here, where the east met the west, Buddhist monks carved out a series of grottoes (caves). Originally meant for meditation, eventually these grottoes became a sanctuary for over 1,000 years worth of Chinese art and cultural history. The art collected and displayed in what is now known as the Thousand Buddha Grottoes includes wall and silk paintings, calligraphy, architecture and stucco sculptures, woodblock printing and embroidery. Of course, literature, dance, and music find full representation there, as well.

The Pipa

Anna Hu drew upon both eastern and western cultural history as inspiration for this incomparable jewel. With her singular approach to design, she captured the essence of this Chinese cultural oasis in the Dunhuang Pipa Necklace. First of all, the pipa pendant embodies the art of ancient Chinese instruments. Those familiar with Chinese music and dance can't help but hear the exotic strains of the pipa. Linger longer, and you'll visualize vibrantly colored silks flying through the air as you gaze upon the yellow and white diamond masterpiece.

East Meets West

Trace the gently curving neck to its apex, and there you'll see a collision of culture. Its tuning pegs rest gently upon diamonds that form a representation of the western music staff. It is this western influence which transforms this gorgeous jeweled instrument into a wearable necklace. In every piece Anna Hu creates, she highlights this exquisite blending of cultures and the arts. Her cultures - Taiwanese and American. Her passions for art - music and jewelry. Indeed, she has loved jewelry AND music from a very young age.  

A Young Prodigy

As a child, Anna Hu demonstrated an exceptional musical ability. With the cello as her chosen instrument, she dedicated herself to hours upon hours of practice. Upon completing secondary school, she enrolled in the Walnut Hill School for the Arts, followed by the New England Conservatory in Boston. Simultaneously, Anna nurtured a passion for jewelry. Anna's father remains one Taiwan's leading gemologists. Of course, he encouraged his daughter's fascination with jewels and gemstones. She remembers holding the mesmerizing gifts of nature in her palms, captivated by the play of light across the room. Anna worked beside her father, sorting the gemstones by shape, color, size, and cut. Meanwhile, she dedicated the remainder of her time to practicing the cello. Unfortunately, at age 20, Anna sustained a shoulder injury from overpractice. Forced to abandon her dream of playing as a solo cellist, Anna turned to jewelry for solace and expression. Eventually, she took courses at the GIA and enrolled in jewelry design and art history programs in the United States. Upon graduating from these programs, she worked for Van Cleef & Arpels, as well as for Harry Winston. During her time at Harry Winston, she met her mentor, Maurice Galli, who encouraged her to pursue her dream of opening her own atelier.  

Anna Hu Haute Joaillerie

Drawing upon her passion for music, Anna now uses precious stones to play the music of her heart. She designs her Symphony of Jewels, blending music, art and history, with the help of French-trained artisans who use old world techniques to fashion exquisite contemporary jewels. Certainly, music remains a driving force behind Anna's process. She listens to classical music in her studio and often applies music theory to her selection of gemstones. As a composer, she finds ways to translate her emotions and aesthetics into exceptional jewels which move and touch the human soul in the same way that music touches hers. No wonder her jewels command such staggering prices at auction! ~Angela Magnotti Andrews