Art with Red & Black (stones) in an exhibit in Namur, Belgium

Pin „Feuille de vigne“ (vine leaf). Platinum, gold, ruby and diamonds, 1951. Paris, collection Van Cleef & Arpels. Photo: TreM.a

Museum TreM.a invites on a journey with the title „Rouges & Noirs“ into the world of red and black precious stones. Jewellery pieces, accessories, functional or luxury items illustrate the symbolic weight of each of these stones but also the particular uses they were put to through the ages and across continents.

Bracelet with a portrait of the Roman emperor Caracalla. Jet and Gold. Société royale d’Archéologie, d’Histoire et de Paléontologie de Charleroi. Photo: TreM.a

The red of fire and beauty, the black of death and fertility: artists and craftspeople have outdone one another in terms of imagination and skill to express in stone the range of meanings associated with these colors.

Working with crystals, they have created pieces that are extraordinary technical feats. The rarity and high price of red stones have incited mankind to search for artificial substitutes like cranberry glass, also on show.

Mirror of polished marble Belgium Black created by Italian designer Raffaello Galiotto. Photo: Raffaello Galiotto

Shown are also two mirrors of polished marble Belgium Black created by Italian designer Raffaello Galiotto for the presentation „Luce e Materia“ (Light and Matter) during Marmomacc 2011.

Rouges & Noirs, until April 12, 2015, TreM.a (Musée provincial des Arts anciens du Namurois – Trésor d’Oignies), Namur, Belgien

Crocodile made of Carnelian. Nouvel Empire Egypt. Musées royaux d’Art et d’Histoire, Brussels. Photo: TreM.a

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(28.01.2015)