July 2014 – Katharine Pooley launches Scarab and Animal Paradise collections

to celebrate a long-standing partnership with extraordinary artisans Lotus Arts de Vivre

Katharine Pooley is delighted to launch two spectacular new collections from Lotus Arts de Vivre exclusively in the UK. The company, founded in Thailand by the von Bueren family 30 years ago is renowned worldwide for transforming natural materials into precious creations, reflecting the imperfect beauty inherent in the natural world. Katharine Pooley is delighted to welcome Lotus Arts de Vivre to London to celebrate their long-standing relationship, uniting a passion for exquisite materials, meticulous craftsmanship and distinctive design. Lotus Arts de Vivre pieces are synonymous with handcrafted work of the highest calibre, using beautiful natural materials such as gems, wood, coral, shell, seeds, teak wood, coconut, bamboo and rattan, married with centuries-old artisanal techniques and the wisdom of ancient craftsmanship to produce one-of-a-kind items that exceed the boundaries of conventional, mass-produced design. When arriving in Thailand in 1962, the von Bueren family were struck by the high degree of artistry found in the everyday lives of Thai people - utmost respect for traditional Thai craftsmanship is a core value that pervades all Lotus Arts de Vivre pieces.   Scarab Jewellery Collection Created from scarab beetle wings, cut to size and applied individually to create an outstanding range of teal blue pieces with flashes of green. Like fine art, the jewellery pieces in the collection have the power to transport the wearer to an exotic, colourful world away from everyday life.

 

Scarab necklace with diamond, silver black rhodium and 1 8K gold - gold plated, £1 5,060

Lotus Arts de Vivre turns nature into this necklace with its body covered by the thorax of scarab beetles. This necklace is made from scarab beetle shell, sterling silver and enhanced with white rose-cut and iced diamonds. Iced Diamonds: 7.430 cts./ Rose-cut diamonds: 0.800 ct.

The scarab beetle was holy in ancient Egypt and was seen as a symbol of the heavenly cycle of rebirth and regeneration. Each piece is carefully selected according to colour and is shaved to the desired thickness and then carefully glued on to the base. The colour of each piece is extremely stable and will last for several hundred years. It will also change from green to blue depending on the light. This is an exotic and magical set of jewellery, requiring great skill to produce.

 

Flexible Ring 5 rows w/ tsavorite, £2,790

Flexible silver and 18K gold ring with tsavorites and scarab pieces. Tsavorites: 0.660 ct.

Scarab Earrings with Diamonds, £6,970

A pair of handcrafted scarab earrings embellished with rose-cut and iced diamonds set in black rhodium sterling silver, and 18K gold. Dimensions: 2.5x5.5x1 cm

The von Bueren family remains committed to producing items that avoid the mainstream or mass market, with some handcrafted items taking up to 6 months to produce. The von Buerens personally travel far and wide to explore and discover the most dedicated specialist craftsmen to work on their newest collections, including Jaipur for gem cutting, Nepal for gold and silversmiths, Bali for woodcarvers and coconut engravers, and Thailand for silverwork. Animal Paradise Collection Inspired by the leather animal footstools guarding the entrance of the von Bueren family home, the collection features a menagerie of decorative animals belonging to a spectacular paradise world. Created using antique silks, oriental textiles and embroidered brocades that once belonged to emperors and aristocrats, Lotus Arts de Vivre has revived these textiles into an exotic collection. Eclectic works of art to be collected and displayed as statement pieces

in the home or bestowed as a truly unique gift.

Textile Cockatoo sculpture, £6,250

Created from various types of fabric, the body from an antique sash of Kimono/Obi worn by the Japanese nobility during formal ceremonies, circa 1915. Head and wings are made with an antique textile used as a Japanese temple Noren or curtain, used to protect temples and residences from dust, rain, and sunlight. All joins are trimmed with European style gold cords with embroidered gold plated flowers from India.

Additionally in pure Lotus essence, the art pieces are embellished with semi-precious stones, such as 33 pcs. of Peridot (271.6 ct. total weight) and 3 pcs. of Pink Tourmaline (105 ct. total weight). The tail and head are decorated with real feathers.

This bird you do not need to feed, nor clean every day and it will be a silent companion and a great decorative piece. Approximate Size : 17 x 36 x 50 cm. Approximate Weight: 870 kg.

Textile Rhino sculpture, £1 3,500

Created from an array of fabrics, the back is crafted from a gold coloured Kimon/Obi featuring a chrysanthemum flower, an Imperial seal of Japan. The body is crafted from European silk and brown velvet.

All joins are trimmed with French gold cords and embroidered gold plated flowers from India. The head is made with calf skin leather and decorated with white metal, This piece is for decorative purpose only. Approximate Size : 42 x 90 x 40 cm. Approximate Weight: 14 Kg.

Textile Toucan sculpture, £3,270

Created from various types of fabric, the beak is made from silk brocade nightgowns worn by the European Royal families during 1850s. Wings and are made from an antique silk brocade gown that is around 120 years old, worn by Moroccan Royal families and the body is made from silk.

Trimmings are crafted from European style gold cords with embroidered gold plated flowers from India. The toucan is decorated with one large piece of pear shaped fresh water pearl and 107 pcs. of Amethyst beads (34.55 ct. total weight). Approximate Size : 10 x 25 x 32 cm. Approximate Weight: 460 kg.

Notes to Editors: Lotus Arts de Vivre is proud to have resisted the temptation to enter into mass production, and instead remains a producer of mainly single-piece jewellery and accessories. Lotus Arts de Vivre has contributed its share in preserving some of the traditional skills that were under siege from machine-made factory products. In additional to the one-of-a-kind pieces, Lotus Arts de Vivre also covers every aspect of elegant living, from home décor to cutlery, travel accessories, sunglasses, new and antique furniture, shoes, belts, carpets superior Kashmir products and great paintings from all over Asia. High-profile clients include Royalty, Heads of State, film stars and captains of industry, many of whom are friends as well as clients. Being made of natural materials, all products require good care in usage. Katharine Pooley 2014 marks the 10-year anniversary of Katharine’s design business that began with the founding of her eponymous flagship boutique in London’s design enclave on Walton Street in 2004. Rare and exquisite objects from distant corners of the globe jostle for space with simple yet luxurious home accessories and furnishings, and a growing range of her own-label designs, many displaying oriental motifs. Quality and craftsmanship are evident in every item. In 2013, Katharine opened her first international showroom, an impressive 3,000 sq ft space revealing her refined her eclectic aesthetic that inspires her design work on a grand scale. Since founding the business, Katharine has worked tirelessly to earn her a position as one of the most sought-after interior designers in London, resulting in landmark commissions for commercial and residential projects around the world. Stockist details Katharine Pooley 160 Walton Street London SW3 2JL www.katharinepooley.com 020 7584 3223 For further information/images please contact Helen Edwards Public Relations: Helen or Lyndsay, Helen@helenedwardspr.com, lyndsay@helenedwardspr.com, +44 (0) 20 7486 3696 / +44 (0)7966 529 056 / +44 (0)7944 601 406