Jeweled Box by JAR at Christie's

  Jeweled box by JAR. Photo courtesy of Christie's Paris.   Christie's Paris presents two jewelry lots in their upcoming Collection of Juan de Beistegui auction. This is the first of the two, a beautiful jeweled box by JAR.

JAR at Christie's Paris

Joel Arthur Rosenthal created this gorgeous box for his close friend, Juan de Beistegui. To friends, he is Joel. To collectors, he is known as JAR. Jewels by JAR are exquisite, exclusive, and exceptional. Closely study this jeweled box, and you will see the artistry. At first glimpse, it appears simple - a white box with butterflies. Almost kitchy, like what a young girl might pick out at a garage sale to place on her nightstand. Of course, this is no kitchy nightstand decoration. On careful observation, it appears molded out of rock crystal (chalcedony). Certainly, Joel Arthur Rosenthal clearly carved it by hand. It is crystal perfection, smooth and creamy like butter. Round, yet angular, it must feel delicious in the hand. Each butterfly is wrought in paper-thin sculpted metal, their wings painted in delicate shades of orange, pink, and lavender. They rest delicately upon the surface, top and sides. Sparkling orange, purple, and pink sapphires, as well as diamonds, glisten upon their wings. JAR studded their bodies, wrought in blackened yellow gold, with diamonds and sapphires, as well.  

Jewels by JAR

Every piece by JAR moves the observer. The artist remains a secretive, eccentric Parisian icon. His shop remains hidden on the Place Vendôme, devoid of a display window, a sign, or any other adornments. He is not open for regular hours, and the public is not welcome to drop in. One can almost imagine him sitting in the dark recesses of his studio, bent over a piece, working tirelessly on what to others might be the tedious process of creating settings so perfect they become invisible. He fashions between 70 and 80 pieces annually, all of which are made to suit the wearer. This is not a typical commission situation. He gazes upon his client, fashioning in his mind what he will create for them. They may have a say, but he has the final word. In fact, he may spend the better part of a year creating a piece, only to deny his client the right to purchase it. This is likely a rare occurrence, but he does reserve the right to refuse a sale if the piece does not suit the wearer. I love Joan Juliet Buck's description of Joel upon their first meeting in a cavern under Paris: "He was pale, intense, magnetic, brilliant. I took him for an insightful professor or comparative everything." {source} If you've read my other articles here on EraGem Post, then you know JAR is among my favorite artists. He may dwell among the shadows, coming out only for the perfect opportunity to pair his art with the art of the human body. Yet, his pieces stand above the rest, shining in the spotlight whenever they make an appearance.  

Christie's Paris Presents: The Collection of Juan de Beistegui

Next month, visitors to Paris can lay their eyes upon this jeweled box by JAR. Preceding the sale on September 9 and 10, this treasure will be on view at Christie's Paris. Viewing dates and times are available on Christie's website. In addition to this gorgeous box, the sale also includes a qilin brooch by JAR, which I will write about in another article.