The Radical White by Boucheron

The "Sarpech", a classic ornament for oriental turbans; "Churiyan" bracelets, worn as protective amulets by Indian women on their wedding day; the "Padma", a lotus flower considered a symbol of purity in India. Boucheron's collection,New Maharajahs, not only offers us an immersive lesson in the traditional motifs dear to the Indian sultans of the past, it is also an ultra-contemporary interpretation of high jewelry with transformable and genderless pieces that, although unique, embrace an inclusive attitude. Claire Choisne and her creative team pay homage to one of the company's most exceptional events, which took place in 1928 when Monsieur Boucheron was commissioned with the most impressive special order in the history of Place Vendôme: 149 pieces featuring the gems of Bhupindar Singh, the Maharajah of Patiala, who came to Paris with forty servants and metal safes containing thousands of diamonds, rubies, emeralds and pearls. A memorable recollection, reinterpreted through a radical stylistic choice in which the multi-colored opulence of the era has been reduced to a form of monochrome sophistication by using whites and transparencies. Rock crystal, mother-of-pearl, pearls, diamonds, platinum, white gold and a succinct stippling of Colombian emeralds enliven the seven sets of extraordinary workmanship. «The Maharajah of Patiala's special order was like something out of a fairy tale, a veritable dream,» said Claire Choisne. «We kept the original designs of the 149 creations from which I drew inspiration for this collection. I wanted to bring these pieces into the 21st century and reinvent them for the Maharanis and Maharajahs of today. I want the women and men who wear them to be able to express their own personality and style.»