L'ÉCOLE School of Jewelry Arts to Exhibit Recreated Celtic Gold Torque in Shanghai, 2026

L'ÉCOLE School of Jewelry Arts, founded with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels, will present the exhibition 'Golden Hands: Rebirth of Iron Age Gold Ornaments' from August 4 to October 7, 2026, at Richemont Twin Villas in Shanghai. The exhibition centers on an experimental archaeology project that recreates the Montans torque, a Celtic gold torque created more than two thousand years ago, to explore lost ancient techniques. The Montans torque was discovered in 1843 in the Montans region of the Tarn department in southern France. Its shape and ornamentation are characteristic of Celtic goldwork, dating to the late European Iron Age (450-25 BC). Through the recreation process, the research team rediscovered long-lost Celtic goldsmithing techniques.

The ground floor of Richemont Twin Villas will display a 24K gold replica of the original torque, along with the goldsmithing tools and materials used in its creation. A video documenting the recreation of the Montans torque will also be shown, featuring archaeologists, goldsmiths, and researchers discussing Celtic metalwork, the torque's social symbolism, and its production techniques. The second floor will be organized around the theme of 'gold,' linking the history of Celtic goldsmithing with multiple dimensions of knowledge about gold. Visitors can watch videos, explore gold in its natural forms, browse books, and listen to podcasts.

After its initial presentation in Paris and a subsequent tour in Seoul, the exhibition moves to Shanghai. The Shanghai edition retains the previous displays and adds a special workshop space for visitor participation. During the exhibition, L'ÉCOLE School of Jewelry Arts will offer a series of courses and cultural activities. The course 'From Wax Carving to Stone Setting' is divided into two parts: setting techniques and wax carving. After an introduction by the instructor, participants will set a gemstone in a silver mounting and explore wax carving techniques to create the wing portion of a butterfly jewelry piece. Upon completion, participants may take home their wax butterfly creation. The course 'Exploring Jewelry Craftsmanship' combines theoretical instruction with hands-on experience. Under the guidance of a jewelry craftsman, participants will sequentially experience shaping, cutting, polishing, and stone setting in jewelry creation, and may take home a domed wax sculpture. The course 'Gold Art and Jewelry: From the Ancient World to Renaissance Courts' takes participants across centuries and civilizations to explore the evolution of jewelry pairing and symbolism, with close-up viewing of antique jewelry pieces from L'ÉCOLE's collection.

The course 'Engagement Rings: Love Stories' will be led by an expert lecturer covering the history, craftsmanship, material selection, and the world of gemstones of engagement rings.

L'ÉCOLE School of Jewelry Arts was founded in 2012 with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels, exploring the world of jewelry through courses, workshops, lectures, exhibitions, research, books, and podcasts. Its activities revolve around three main areas: the history of jewelry arts, the world of gemstones, and fine jewelry craftsmanship. Courses are open to all members of the public with no prior knowledge required, and participants learn under the guidance of art historians, gemologists, and jewelry craftsmen. L'ÉCOLE School of Jewelry Arts currently has permanent centers in four cities: Paris, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Dubai. The Shanghai center is located at Richemont Twin Villas on Huaihai Road.