Cartouche titanium and diamond earrings by Santi which will be included in an upcoming selling exhibition at Phillips.
Photo: Coppi Barbieri
Phillips London Announces Selling Exhibition of Exclusive Santi Jewelry
The extraordinary presentation of 40 pieces includes many on view to the public for the first time
Krishna Choudhary at his family’s 18th-century ancestral haveli in Jaipur, India. Photo: Courtesy of Santi
There is perhaps no period of jewelry quite as opulent as that of the Mughal Empire in India, when intricate craftsmanship and rare precious stones were combined to extraordinary effect. Jaipur-born jeweler Krishna Choudhary brings that rich legacy into the present with his ultraexclusive brand, Santi.
Following in the footsteps of his family, which is made up of generations of renowned Jaipur jewelers and gem merchants, Choudhary uses antique precious and semiprecious stones to produce just 12 to 15 pieces a year from his by-appointment-only London atelier. “My goal is to build a bridge between symmetrical Mughal motifs and abstract modernity,” he says.
From September 19 through 23, his latest creations will be on view to the public for the first time, alongside the historical objects that inspired them, in a selling exhibition at Phillips London. Co-curated with jewelry historian Vivienne Becker, the presentation incorporates approximately 40 pieces crafted over four years. “Through this exhibition I hope to honor my heritage and share with visitors some of the magic that fuels my contemporary works,” Choudhary said in a statement. “From historic gemstones of extraordinary beauty or Mughal motifs seen in art, architecture, and Indian jewels—all of these serve as inspiration for my contemporary jewels, within whom I try to marry the rarest gems and the most beautiful, exquisite craftsmanship available today.”
Spinel flower pendant with Mughal-era spinels and Golconda diamonds. Photo: Coppi Barbieri
Colombian emerald and diamond chevron earrings. Photo: Coppi Barbieri
“The jewels of Santi reflect the history of his own family and the centuries-old inspiration in Indian culture,” said Phillips’s Worldwide Head of Jewelry, Benoît Repellin. “Krishna’s family collection of antique jewels, exceptional pieces, and gemstones have all trained his eye and influenced his designs. While the use of table-cut diamonds, carved emeralds, paisley motifs, and other Eastern inspired designs are a tribute to Krishna’s origins, the designer has the unique ability to incorporate these old stones and timeless motifs in contemporary design, creating wearable works of art. We are proud to collaborate with such a remarkable visionary in a rare exhibition of Santi’s stunning works of art, as we continue our mission of championing the best in jewelry design, both past and present.”
See more of the exquisite offerings below:
Half-chevron earrings featuring old-mine diamonds. Photo: Coppi Barbieri
Carved 17th-century Colombian emerald and diamond ring. Photo: Courtesy of Santi
Champagne cartouche earrings featuring cushion-cut brown diamonds floating on yellow-gold chevron waves. Photo: Courtesy of Santi
Cartouche titanium and diamond earrings. Photo: Coppi Barbieri
Colombian emerald and diamond earrings. Photo: Courtesy of Santi
A version of this article first appeared in print in our 2022 Fall Issue under the headline “Art & Soul.” Subscribe to the magazine.
Cover: Cartouche titanium and diamond earrings by Santi which will be included in an upcoming selling exhibition at Phillips.
Photo: Coppi Barbieri
