From May 1 to October 7, 2025, L’ÉCOLE School of Jewelry Arts is hosting a major exhibition in Shanghai, with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels. Titled Stage Jewels of the Comédie-Française, the show is being held at the historic Twin Villas on Huaihai Middle Road. More than a thousand visitors attended the exhibition on its opening day.
The exhibition features over 100 rare pieces, including stage jewelry, historical documents, and artworks. Among the highlights is a gem-encrusted diadem once given by Napoleon to the actress Rachel. Other standout items include a theatrical robe worn by actor Mounet-Sully in Jean Racine’s Athalie, and a brooch created by renowned jeweler René Lalique for Sarah Bernhardt. These pieces reflect the grandeur and style of France’s theater tradition.
Also on display are costumes provided by the National Center for Theatrical Costume and Design in France. These are presented alongside oil paintings, watercolors, manuscripts, and photographs. Together, they give visitors a vivid glimpse into French theater from the 18th century to the Romantic era.
A special feature of the show is a costume from The Orphan of China (L’Orphelin de la Chine), a play by Voltaire. This work is based on the Chinese classic The Orphan of Zhao from the Yuan dynasty. To illustrate the cross-cultural exchange, the exhibition presents a traditional Chinese-style costume next to its French adaptation from Voltaire’s version of the play.
The exhibition is part of the 19th Croisements Festival. Established in 2006, the festival is now the largest international arts event in China and one of France’s key cultural initiatives abroad. It serves as a platform for artistic exchange and continues to strengthen cultural ties between China and France.
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