Jewelry Exhibits

s
The Metropolitan Museum of Art Presents ‘Jewels by JAR’

THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART PRESENTS ‘JEWELS BY JAR’October 19, 2013Jewelry Exhibits

On November 20th, the work of jewelry’s most elusive contemporary designer will be on display for all to see. The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York will present the magnificent exhibition ‘Jewels by JAR’, the first devoted to a contemporary artist of gems at New York’s most illustrious museum.

JAR Tulip Brooch 2008 with diamond and ruby
Photo courtesy of The Jewellery Editor

Joel Arthur Rosenthal, who works in Paris under the name JAR, has earned his reputation as one of the greatest jewelers of modern times. A Harvard-educated New York native, Joel Arthur Rosenthal first tried his hand in several artistic enterprises, starting with writing French and English movie-scripts then jumping to designing tapestries, mastering the art of needlepoint and working briefly for Bulgari. The series of job stints honed his skill for minute detail and jewelry making, until finally finding his calling as a jeweler.

JAR White Lilac brooch 2001 Diamonds, garnets, aluminum, silver and gold Private Collection And Lilac brooch 2002 Violet, sapphires, garnets, aluminum, silver and gold Private Collection
Photo couresty of B-BEJEWELED

His small, hidden shop in the Place Vendôme, which he opened with his partner Pierre Jeannet in 1978, is a beacon of high jewelry art. Best known for using dark alloyed metals and exceptionally fine pavé settings, JAR’s custom-made creations are truly masterful. Despite his popularity, JAR remains reclusive and devoted to the integrity of his craft, producing less than 100 one-of-a-kind pieces a year for an exclusive list of clients.

JAR Poppy brooch decorated with pink and green enamel and set with one large pear-cut diamond to the centre from 1982.

JAR Poppy Brooch 1982 with pink and green enamel and set with one large pear-cut diamond to the center.
Photo courtesy of The Jewellery Editor

The exhibition, the first retrospective in America, will feature 300 dazzling jewels by JAR, all exemplifying the exquisite high jewelry art for which JAR is renowned. Diamonds, sapphires, garnets, topazes, tourmalines and citrines in hues that cover the entire color spectrum are magically set in undulating swaths of metal to form real-life jeweled renditions of his famous flowers, poppies, camelias and tulips, in addition to other mesmerizing jewels and objets d’art.

JAR Butterfly brooch with sapphires, fire opals, rubies, amethyst, garnets and diamonds set in silver and gold from 1994.

JAR Butterfly Brooch 1994 with sapphires, fire opals, rubies, amethyst, garnets and diamonds set in silver and gold.
Photo courtesy of The Jewellery Editor

The last time the public saw JAR’s work en masse was eleven years ago in 2002 at Somerset House in London, which makes this exhibition at the Met particularly special. For JAR, as for any living artist, it is a dream come true to see one’s work on display at the Met, one of the world’s premier museums.

JAR Geranium brooch 2007 Diamonds, aluminum, silver, gold Private Collection
Photo courtesy of B-JEWELED

The exhibition is made possible by Henry and Marie-Josée Kravis, Phaidon Press Ltd, Nancy and Howard Marks, The Ronald and Jo Carole Lauder Foundation, Agnes Gund, and Mr. and Mrs. George S. Livanos, ‘Jewels by JAR’ opens at the Metropolitan Museum on November 20th, 2013 and runs until March 9th, 2014.