Astonishing Adornments
Explore the remarkable inspirations for Austy Lee’s newest creations
Austy Lee’s jewellery tells extraordinary tales, taking its aesthetic cues from unusual muses such as the punk movement, 1960s hippiedom, ancient Japan, and the old Norse gods of Viking mythology
There’s a fascinating inspiration behind Austy Lee’s new Un Berkutchi bangle. The piece is named after the horsebackby riding falconers who still practise their age-old art in present-day Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia and Xinjiang. Berkutchi are famous for hunting using golden eagles to go after the most challenging and wily of prey: foxes. Wearing the Un Berkutchi bangle, Lee hopes, will imbue the owner with the strengths of not only these masterful handlers, but also the eagle that does their bidding. Since ancient times, these majestic birds have symbolised bravery, power and conquest; their likeness appeared on coins and medals in Greece and imperial Rome. The Un Berkutchi bangle is crafted in 18-karat yellow gold, embellished with antique Meiji Shakudō metalware, red and blue enamel, abalone shell, lapis, and mother-of-pearl. It is lent further radiance the addition of unheated fancy orange sapphire, onyx, fancy colour diamonds, fancy yellow diamonds, and white diamonds.
Another exciting new creation from the brand is the Alvéole d’abeille bracelet. Alvéole d’abeille is French for “honeycomb”, the pattern that forms the bracelet’s central design motif. This 18-karat yellow-gold piece features Burmese Imperial green jades, red enamel, white diamonds and perhaps most unexpectedly, abalone shells.
Each abalone shell is unique, and, after being cut and polished, reveals its own particular iridescent patterns, ensuring that no Alvéole d’abeille bracelet is exactly like another. Abalone shells are in keeping with Lee’s goal that his creations should deliver “psychedelic healing” to the wearer; they are said to possess restorative properties, enhancing emotional balance and providing feelings of peace, harmony and tranquillity.