SHOLA BRANSON AT SOTHERBY'S

FUTURE PERFECT

This spring, a bold new jewellery collection by contemporary British Nigerian designer Shola Branson was featured in a dedicated exhibition at Sotheby’s Paris.

Inspired by Egyptian cartouches, ‘Fragments’ is an imaginative evocation of the remnants of a fictional lost civilisation. Branson’s distinctive, almost Space Age silhouettes combine with intricately detailed stone settings framed in blackened gold, for resolutely modern pieces that explore our complex relationship with time.

“The proportions and shape feel very futuristic but at the same time quite primordial,” says the jeweller. “Ancient history has always been a source of inspiration to me, even before I started to infuse this more tangibly into my work.”

Featuring vivid gemstones and Botswanamark diamonds (from the first fully traceable diamond provenance programme from a single source in Africa), each piece is crafted using Single Mine Origin (SMO) Gold with a satiny, brushed finish. “SMO gold enables me to engage directly with its provenance... For this collection, I’ve chosen gold from the Sabodala mine in Senegal, paired with Botswanamark diamonds. This combination represents a commitment to sourcing materials responsibly,” Branson notes.

“As a self-taught artisan, Branson consistently brings an element of surprise to his creations, especially in the way he uses coloured diamonds. I also love the unique, warm finish he achieves on the 18K gold pieces,” says Frank Everett, Vice Chairman at Sotheby’s Jewellery.

“We have been delighted to showcase his latest collection in our Paris galleries and allow jewellery lovers and collectors alike the opportunity to discover, or rediscover, his arresting artistry.”

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