Jewellery & Watch News
Some of the world’s greatest artists have used the signs and symbols of animals in their work. Da Vinci used eagles as figures of generosity, Monet used black cats as a sign of domestic comfort and Salvador Dali depicted elephants as symbols of the future and strength. The fashion House of Gucci has equally become famed for their use of animal symbols in their collections, particularly that of their Gucci Garden jewellery line.
Animal symbolism has been spotted in Gucci’s collections for decades, but since Alessandro Michele was appointed Creative Director of Gucci in 2015, the brand has been invigorated with new colours, imagery and designs. Michele is known for having a fascination with nature’s physical and spiritual beauty, so much so that he debuted the Gucci Garden museum back in 2018 inside Florence’s Palazzo della Mercanzia. The building houses one of a kind Gucci items, a restaurant ran by a three-star Michelin chef and the Gucci Garden Galleria exhibition. Within the museum, it is clear to see where Alessandro Michele has taken animal motifs to a new level, bridging the past and present through exceptional Italian design.
“I had two different kind of parents. My mother was obsessive with movie stars and cinema and Hollywood because she worked in movies. And my father was obsessed with beauty everywhere - in art, in nature, animals.” - Alessandro Michele
Animals like snakes, tigers, cars and bee, symbols first seen in Gucci’s 1970’s collections are now some of the focal points to their modern-day collections. The Gucci Garden jewellery range is a prime example of this, defined by its wild animal motifs and botanical engravings. The Gucci Garden Silver Snake jewellery pieces bring to life one of Gucci’s most striking animal symbols, a creature which for centuries has embodied the powers of sensuality and seduction. The unique snake-shaped ring and bracelet in the Gucci Garden jewellery collection replicates the reptile’s scales with exceptional engravings on 925 sterling silver.
The Gucci Garden jewellery collection also showcases several tiger and feline-inspired pieces including a Gucci Garden Tiger Silver bracelet and a breathtaking Feline Head ring. Representing strength and bravery, the tiger is spotted twice on the bracelet with two tiger heads facing each other at the end of the open-ended bangle. The ring on the other hand sits centre stage of the 925 sterling silver band treated with an aged finish and engraved with the words “Le Marché des Merveilles” which translates to “The Wonder Factory”, the name for Gucci's theatrical fine jewellery collection. The Gucci Garden Feline Head ring is also completed with two purple crystal eyes.
If you’d like to learn more about the Gucci Garden jewellery collection and order some of the pieces for yourself, head over to the C W Sellors website here. Alternatively, speak with our team of jewellery specialists by calling 01335 453543 or send us a message at [email protected].
