THE 2018 Black Label Masterpiece XVIII “Peony Brooch” by Cindy Chao the Art Jewel was inducted into the acclaimed William and Judith Bollinger Gallery of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. The one-of-a-kind brooch is made primarily of purple colored titanium and set with thousands of rubies and diamonds. The red petals have lushness and gradation of red color that is contrasted with yellow pistils completed with a detailed lacquer technique. Tristram Hunt, V&A director, described the brooch as “dynamic and boldly beautiful yet simultaneously feminine, charming and ethereal,” adding that “Cindy Chao’s Peony Brooch is an exquisite and virtuoso celebration of nature’s beauty, as well as a deeply personal piece.” The induction of the brooch Wednesday coincided with the reopening of the London museum to the public. The V&A has one of the finest and most comprehensive collections of jewelry in the world. The William and Judith Bollinger Jewellery Gallery has more than 3,000 jewels that tell the story of jewelry in Europe from ancient times to the present day. Chao’s brooch will be shown among some of the greatest jewels in the world, including the Elizabeth I Armada Jewel and personal jewels once owned by Catherine the Great of Russia and Queen Victoria. Chao, who celebrated her 15th anniversary as a high jewelry artist in 2020, is the only Asian female jeweler to have her creation placed in the historic gallery. (SD-Agencies) | 