BEAUTY BECOMES TIMELESS
Everything is blooming most recklessly; if it were voices instead of colors, there would be an unbelievable shrieking into the heart of the night.
Rainer Maria Rilke
The British Museum recently acquired a modern masterpiece that bridges the gap between tradition and contemporary innovation. In a groundbreaking move, Anna Hu’s Enchanted White Lily Bangle became the first contemporary jewellery piece by a female artist to join the museum's permanent collection. Since July 2024, this remarkable creation has been displayed in the Sir Joseph Hotung Gallery of China and South Asia, a tribute to the intersection of cultures and histories that defines Hu's work.
The Enchanted White Lily Bangle took Anna Hu, a Europe-based Asian jewellery artist, over six months and the skills of а dozen expert artisans to bring to life. At its heart is a stunning 30.48 carat purplish-red rubellite, encircled by delicate stamens of rock crystal-infused yellow enamel. The flower’s silver petals were treated with acid and sand-blasted to achieve a moonlit shimmer, while the stem, which is an aged mix of gold, brass, and silver, is hand-painted to resemble the patinated bronze of ancient treasures.
The studio was filled with the rich odor of roses, and when the light summer wind stirred amidst the trees of the garden, there came through the open door the heavy scent of the lilac, or the more delicate perfume of the pink-flowering thorn.
Oscar Wilde, The Picture of Dorian Gray
Anna Hu, a former prodigy cellist, channels her love for classical music into each creation, blending musicality, heritage, and nature. Her commitment to excellence is evident in every detail, from the meticulous choice of materials to her collaborations with French-trained artisans in Paris and New York.
The lily, a symbol of purity, prosperity, and hope, holds significance in both Eastern and Western cultures. Anna’s choice to combine traditional Chinese flower painting styles, inspired by Qing Dynasty artist Yun Shouping, with the romantic imagery of Robert Schumann’s "Poet’s Love," resulted in a piece that transcends cultural boundaries.
The Enchanted White Lily Bangle, now part of the British Museum’s esteemed collection, represents a dialogue between the past and present, East and West. With this acquisition, Anna Hu has cemented her place among the greats, offering a new, enchanting perspective on what jewellery can be.
