Lotus Arts de Vivre’s exclusive boutique jewellery pieces are truly ‘unexpected creations’. Therefore the chosen title for Assouline’s latest release seems more than appropriate. Written by JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky, this flirtatious and psychedelic-looking tome celebrates the exceptional audacity of the Thai jewellers, as well as its adventurous, nature-inspired pieces.
When trying to describe Lotus Arts de Vivre’s jewellery – dramatic, sensuous, unadulterated – you might assume that these pieces are unwearable. They’re bold, ostentatious and outrageously ornate, but there’s a celestial beauty about each bangle and broach that’s utterly irresistible.
In Unexpected Creations, Gomelsky effortlessly tells a story of romance, family and wanderlust, all of which are at the core of Lotus Arts de Vivre’s illustrious success. The company spans three-plus decades and produces some of the most intricate jewellery designs, as well as large-scale, surrealist-style sculptures; all crafted using precious and non-precious materials. Artisans pay homage to the brand’s Thai heritage, in addition to Indian moguls, Indonesian rulers, and Chinese emperors. Dedicated to Her Majesty the Queen of Thailand, who has helped preserve her homeland’s culture and craft without compromise, Unexpected Creations lovingly documents this company’s fascinating origins.
Since 1982, Rolf von Bueren and his wife Helen have transformed their passion for crafts and priceless artifacts into a business that pays homage to Asia’s oldest and most respected traditions.
Since 1982, company founders Rolf and Helen von Bueren have pursued their passion for priceless artifacts. The latter – a Bangkok-born then-housewife who discovered a hidden talent for jewellery design when her sons went away to boarding school – delicately depicts scenes from Thai mythology in her rich cultural designs. The couple’s children, Goetz and Nicki, have since taken the reins, running Lotus Arts de Vivre on behalf of their parents, and hope to continue Asia’s oldest and most respected traditions. For years the family home in the Sukhumvit neighbourhood of Bangkok has served as a melting pot for various artists and jewel connoisseurs. “Unexpected Creations does more than document the development of our business; it digs deeper into the passions that underpin everything that both our family and Lotus Arts de Vivre do and goes further to reveal our eye-opening personal discoveries,” explains Rolf van Bueren in the foreword.
“In truth, for many Thais Helen’s boldly, distinctive designs were an acquired taste,” adds Gomelsky. “Not having any experience with designer jewellery, locals looked to foreigners to help validate their style. That explains why Lotus Arts de Vivre found its earliest success on the European circuit, where Rolf and Helen showcased their jewellery and home accessories to a coterie of well-connected Europeans, including royals and celebrities.”
This read is an odyssey into a luxurious realm of finely wrought bracelets, statement necklaces, and jaw-dropping rings. In love with the Thai people and their culture, the couple have travelled extensively around Asia, learning as much as they can about traditional craftsmanship, embroidery, and raw materials. Since 1966, the van Bueren’s have particularly looked to Bali for design inspiration, often from their sprawling estate on Berawa Beach.
This stunning bangle titled ‘Dragon Rising’ is fashioned from silver and black rhodium and is set with black diamonds and wafer pearls. The magnificent dragon takes many forms across the rich mythologies of Asia and, in this creation, has the most spectacular rubies for eyes. © Yuriko Takagi
Seamlessly melding precious gems such as Afghan emeralds, Burmese rubies and Persian turquoise with organic materials including ebony, bamboo and ostrich eggs, each piece of jewellery is unique; a one-of-a-kind that brings to life mythical beasts and ancient tales. Commenting on Lotus Arts de Vivre’s use of scarab wings, Gomelsky writes that, “Lotus isn’t squeamish about incorporating creepy-crawly things into its haute designs – least of all the blue-green metallic-coloured wings of scarab beetles, which have been a Lotus signature from the beginning.”
In recent years, Lotus Arts de Vivre has expanded its repertoire, creating all aspects of a luxurious life, from home décor to exclusive paintings. Such bespoke services are restricted only by each client’s imagination, however the company’s statement signature neckpieces continue to steal the show. Their unusual size and maximalist design, often featuring peacock feathers, porcupine quills and gilded leaves, ensure that these spectacular pieces are not for the faint of heart. As Gomelsky rightly claims: “A visitor to the Lotus Arts de Vivre factory would be hard-pressed to find a space brimming with more exotic, unusual and valuable materials.”
