BIBI VAN DER VELDEN
Edgy, fine pieces exuding clever, humorous details are the ethos of jewellery created by Dutch sculptor and jewellery designer Bibi van der Velden.
Fearlessly contrasting 18K gold, silver, and gemstones with interesting materials, such as scarab wings, carved 40,000- yearold mammoth tusk, and even ostrich eggs, Bibi has created a captivating range of jewellery composed of miniature sculpted forms and packed with narrative detail and movement.
She thrives on adding elements of surprise, with pieces opening up to reveal hidden design facets or offering attachable components that completely change the look and feel of a starter piece. Case in point: in her animal collection, she has scarab wing components or delightful sterling silver monkeys on carved lemon quartz bananas that can be attached to a base earring in 18K rose gold and brown diamonds.
In the creation of her pieces, Bibi brings a sculptor’s obsession to her work: she handcarves each in wax before she progresses to a metal model, sometimes working on a piece for up to two years before she is satisfied with the outcome.
One of her main sources of inspiration is her home city Amsterdam; and her next collection is inspired by 17th century Dutch still-life painting and the art genre, Vanitas.
For more information, visit www.bibivandervelden.com.
Scarab Wings earrings in 18K rose gold and brown diamonds from the Animal collection