brafa

Jewels return to Brafa

Brafa is back, the exhibition-market of ancient and modern European art organized in Brussels by the Foire des Antiquaires de Belgique Association. The fair presents paintings, furniture, sculptures, but also exceptional jewels. this year Brafa takes place from Sunday 28 January to Sunday 4 February in the spaces of the Brussels Expo, which is located in the northern area of the Belgian capital. There will be 132 international galleries coming from 14 countries from all over the world, with an important Italian presence.

Bracciale scultura di Pol Bury in oro bianco e giallo 18 carati
Sculpture bracelet by Pol Bury in 18k white and yellow gold

Barbara Bassi Gioielli participates with a bracelet-sculpture by the kinetic sculptor Pol Bury (1922-2005) in 18k white and yellow gold, characterized by internal-external mirrored moving spheres. The jewel falls into the vein of kinetic art, thanks to the movement of the spheres that move around the wrist. The sphere is in fact the protagonist element of Bury’s research, especially in his sculptural work, in dialogue with metropolitan architecture such as the famous Octagon fountain in San Francisco. 2024 will also be an opportunity for Barbara Bassi’s gallery to celebrate an important birthday: the first forty years of work.
Nardi, anello Lettere da Venezia
Nardi, Letters from Venice ring

Nardi Jewelery also returns to Brafa with three creations that reflect the tradition of the Venice Maison. The Lettere da Venezia ring is a small openwork rose gold envelope adorned with 150 small diamonds. The upper flap opens and allows you to extract two gold sheets: the first engraved with Virgil’s phrase (Omnia vincit amor), the second customizable by the buyer. A tribute to Canaletto is instead the ring with a frame of diamonds, rubies and sapphires, in which a hand-made engraving is inspired by the work of the Venetian painter and aims to create an ideal bridge between ancient art and contemporary jewellery. . Finally, with the Geisha brooch the inspiration is Japan. The brooch can also be used as a pendant. It depicts a female face sculpted in turquoise, while in the lower part a gold fan opens, thanks to a micro-mechanism, to reveal a cherry blossom branch.
The French gallery Bernard Bouisset presents a seventies ring by Van Cleef & Arpels with two flowers made of pink coral, diamonds and gold, an early twentieth century necklace with 35 carats of old-cut diamonds, and a ring by Suzanne Belperron in platinum with a central diamond of 7.17 carats.

Anello con diamante di oltre 7 carati di Suzanne Belperron
Suzanne Belperron diamond ring weighing over 7 carats

The Collectors Gallery instead focuses on design with the Scalinata ring in 18 carat gold and diamonds made in 1983 in a limited edition and signed by designer Ettore Sottsass. Pauline’s Jewelery Box features period jewels including a late 19th century tiara with emeralds and diamonds.

Nardi, anello Omaggio a Canaletto
Nardi, Homage to Canaletto ring
Van Cleef & Arpels, anello con diamanti e corallo rosa
Van Cleef & Arpels, ring with diamonds and pink coral
Anello del designer Ettore Sottsass
Ring designed by Ettore Sottsass

The jewels of Brafa




It’s time to get ready for the Brafa (January 29-February 5, Brussels Expo), one of the main European art fairs, which also hosts a selected offer of vintage or designer jewellery. The Italian Barba Bassi, for example, presents a necklace that can be transformed into bracelets by Mario Buccellati, together with two artistic bracelets by Pol Bury and Arman. Bernard Bouisset, on the other hand, will show a ring with a blue sapphire weighing 19.25 carats and a necklace by Van Cleef & Arpels that can be worn as a bracelet and brooch for a total of 50 carats of diamonds. We have already talked about the Nardi gallery here 

Arman, bracciale Instruments de musique  in oro bianco 18 carati e diamanti
Arman, bracciale Instruments de musique in oro bianco 18 carati e diamanti

At Brafa this year the Belgian gallery Epoque Fine Jewels celebrates its 65th anniversary together with Art Nouveau, the theme of the year. The gallery exhibits a rich collection of jewels among which the precious Peacock diadem by Philippe Wolfers (Brussels, 1858-1929) in gold, silver, diamonds, enamel and opal with a singular history stands out. Patricia De Wit had initially acquired the peacock brooch from descendants of Léopold Kronacher, nee Marie-Laure Brunard (she was decidedly ahead of her time), who had personally commissioned the piece from Philippe Wolfers. The precious peacock was later recognized as the central element of a diadem. The peacock was in fact detachable to be worn as a brooch and traces of the original setting of the diadem had been lost.
Collana in oro rosa e diamanti trasformabile di Van Cleef & Arpels
Collana in oro rosa e diamanti trasformabile di Van Cleef & Arpels

Thanks to the image published by a magazine of the time it was possible to reconstruct the jewel that will be presented for the first time at Brafa 2023. Philippe Wolfers often inserted semi-precious stones in his creations: in this case the body of the peacock is carved in an opal , of which he loved the delicate play of color and semi-transparency. According to the archives, the diadem was made in 1902-1903 and is one of the rare unique pieces by the Belgian master, particularly sought after by collectors from all over the world. Philippe Wolfers’ jewels can be found in major museums around the world, including the Virginia Museum of Fine Art (USA), the Schmuckmuseum Pforzheim (Germany) and the Royal Museums of Art & History (Brussels, Belgium).
Tiara art nouveau di Philippe Wolfers con spilla a forma di pavone
Tiara art nouveau di Philippe Wolfers con spilla a forma di pavone

Collana trasformabile in bracciali di Mario Buccellati
Collana trasformabile in bracciali di Mario Buccellati

Anello di platino e diamanti con zaffiro di 19,25 carati
Anello di platino e diamanti con zaffiro di 19,25 carati

Pol Bury, bracciale in oro bianco e giallo 18 carati
Pol Bury, bracciale in oro bianco e giallo 18 carati







Even Nardi’s Venice at the next Brafa




The great jewels of Venice will be found in Brussels. From Sunday 29 January to Sunday 5 February 2023, the Brafa will return to the Belgian capital, one of the great world art, antiques and jewelery fairs, with six Maisons present in this edition. And among the pavilions of Brafa there will also be the Gioielleria Nardi, a historic Maison in Venice, known for its high quality production. Nardi announced that it will be present in Brussels with two collections of rings: masks in gold, enamel, colored stones and diamonds and Venetians in gold and silver, colored diamonds and faces engraved in amber.

Anelli Maschere in oro, smalto, gemme di colore e diamanti
Anelli Maschere in oro, smalto, gemme di colore e diamanti

Another symbol of Venice, the lion, has been transformed into an 18-karat gold and burnished silver brooch, set with white and brown diamonds. Nardi has been located in the historic headquarters in Piazza San Marco in Venice since 1925. The jeweler creatively reinterprets the culture and charm of the city on the lagoon through the processing of metals and precious stones. Among his most famous clients are Elizabeth Taylor, Grace Kelly, Ernest Hemingway, Marilyn Monroe, the royals of Spain.
Spilla Leone in oro 18 carati e argento con diamanti
Spilla Leone in oro 18 carati e argento con diamanti

Among the six jewelers participating in the new edition of Brafa are Barbara Bassi (Italy, Cremona), Gioielleria Nardi (Italy, Venice), Bernard Bouisset (France, Béziers), Collectors Gallery (Beglio, Bruxelles), Epoque Fine Jewels (Belgium , Kortrijk), VKD Jewels (Netherlands, Uden). The presence of 130 international galleries from 15 countries is expected at the Brafa, with thousands of works of every style and time including paintings, sculptures, antique furniture, ceramics and jewels but also wunderkammers, African art and carpets.
Orecchini Mosaico in oro,  bronzo, peridoti e diopsidi di Nardi
Orecchini Mosaico in oro, bronzo, peridoti e diopsidi di Nardi

Anelli I Veneziani in oro e argento, con diamanti e ambra
Anelli I Veneziani in oro e argento, con diamanti e ambra

Immagine da un'edizione passata del Brafa
Immagine da un’edizione passata del Brafa







Digital jewels with the Brafa 2021




As in 2020, unfortunately, the fairs continue to be postponed due to the covid. The Brafa in Bruxelles is no exception. just like many other events, it has opted for a digital edition. For 2021, therefore, the great fair dedicated to arts, antiques and special jewels, period or contemporary, takes place from Wednesday 27 to Sunday 31 January. Exhibitors registered for Brafa 2021 hope that their galleries in digital format will be able to give an idea of ​​their offer: it is not easy, however, since the objects lose some of their charm when viewed only on a screen. But it is the only possible alternative.

Anello Mosaico di Nardi, in oro giallo e rosso 18 carati, con diamanti fancy gialli e bianchi
Anello Mosaico di Nardi, in oro giallo e rosso 18 carati, con diamanti fancy gialli e bianchi

In total in 2021 there are 126 art dealers from 13 countries and 37 cities. The invitation is to go to the various galleries or visit the web page of each exhibitor where you can find photos and descriptions of the objects presented. As mentioned, there is no shortage of jewels, such as those of the Nardi jewelry in Venice. Bernard Bouisset, jeweler from Béziers (France) presents a ring with a large fancy yellow diamond. There are also other jewels such as those signed by prestigious Maison such as Van Cleef & Arpels, to historical designers such as René Boivin. Federico Graglia
Un classico Moretto della gioielleria Nardi realizzato con diamanti taglio navette
Un classico Moretto della gioielleria Nardi realizzato con diamanti taglio navette

Spilla Mongolfiera di Nardi, in oro 18 carati, con opale di fuoco di oltre 60 carati
Spilla Mongolfiera di Nardi, in oro 18 carati, con opale di fuoco di oltre 60 carati

Anello con diamanti fancy yellow di 10,21 carati e diamanti bianchi triangolari
Anello con diamanti fancy yellow di 10,21 carati e diamanti bianchi triangolari

Orecchini di Van Cleef & Arpels in oro giallo ed ebano
Orecchini di Van Cleef & Arpels in oro giallo ed ebano
Orecchini e anello di Van Cleef & Arpels con diamanti e rubini
Orecchini e anello di Van Cleef & Arpels con diamanti e rubini
Collana Torque Eclat in oro giallo e quarzo rutilo
Collana Torque Eclat in oro giallo e quarzo rutilo
Collana in oro giallo Sablier René Boivin, 1960 circa
Collana in oro giallo Sablier René Boivin, 1960 circa

Collana e orecchini in oro giallo con hessoniti, circa 1820
Collana e orecchini in oro giallo con hessoniti, circa 1820







The gorgeous jewels return to the Brussels Brafa





Once the holidays are over, the great events for the jewelery are back: one of these is Brafa, an event that not only concerns art lovers, but also collectors of high-quality precious items. The Brafa in 2020 is scheduled from Sunday 26 January to Sunday 2 February and takes place as usual in Brussels, in the evocative Tour & Taxis docs (Avenue du Port 86 C). The Brafa Art Fair is also one of the oldest art fairs in the world and in 2020 celebrates 65 years of activity.

Spilla Moretto di Nardi
Spilla Moretto di Nardi

They are many the high jewelry pieces on display: For example, in homage to Belgium there is the splendid brooch that the Nardi jeweler of Venice has created for Queen Paola of Liège and that she presents in Brussels for her debut at Brafa. The brooch is made in different variations, with turquoise and coral, or with rubies and sapphires.
Bracciale di Lalique, 1920
Bracciale di Lalique, 1920

There will also be many early twentieth-century jewels, including pendants with the “wisteria fairy” (Chamarande) or an Art Deco tiara by Chaumet, made in 1909 as a wedding ornament for Countess de Heeren (Epoque Fine Jewels) . Among the curiosities, a gold bracelet with the prehistoric Triceratopo (Bernard Buisset).

BRAFA 2020 – Edition 65
Sunday, January 26 – Sunday, February 2, 2020
Tour & Taxis, Avenue du Port 88,
BrusselsTimes: 11 am-7pm
(Thursday, January 30, late opening until 10pm)
Entrance fees: full price € 25, under 16 free, € 16-26, € 10.
Catalog € 15.
Info and tickets: www.brafa.art

Anelli di Boucheron in platino e diamanti
Anelli di Boucheron in platino e diamanti
Boucheron, collana con coralli, circa 1960
Boucheron, collana con coralli, circa 1960
Bracciale di Cartier Art Déco, 1935
Bracciale di Cartier Art Déco, 1935
Castellani, collana archeological style, 1880
Castellani, collana archeological style, 1880
Una tiara di Chaumet Belle époque, 1909
Una tiara di Chaumet Belle époque, 1909

Bouisset, orecchini con diamanti Dormeuse
Bouisset, orecchini con diamanti Dormeuse







At the Brafa the Phoenicians with Cartier




The new pieces exhibited at the Brafa 2018, in Brussels from 29 January: from the Phoenician necklace to Cartier ♦ ︎
Do you want to buy a Phoenician necklace in gold with turquoise and amethyst of late sarmatian origin and dated during the first years of the Roman Empire? Or do you prefer a Cartier necklace with enamels, diamonds and amethyst from 1905? Or, again, a contemporary pendant with the shape of a mermaid in gold, silver, diamonds, rubies, moonstone and amethyst? You just have to book a flight to Brussels, where from 29 January starts the Brafa (until February 4).
Read also: Precious Brafa
Since 1956 the Brussels Art Fair (Brafa) is one of the oldest and most prestigious art fairs in the world. The exhibited pieces are of particular value, from antiques to modern and contemporary art, to fine arts and jewels. Among the exhibitors, in fact, there are those who offer unique or vintage pieces, all of particular value. Like a Cartier necklace with enamel, gold, diamonds and amethysts, ending with collectible jewelry like a Phoenician gold necklace dating back to the early Roman empire. An opportunity to make tourism combined with jewels. Lavinia Andorno




ANtiche demi parure di collana e orecchini in crisoberillo e argento. Portogallo, circa 1700
ANtiche demi parure di collana e orecchini in crisoberillo e argento. Portogallo, circa 1700

Da Chamarande, un bracciale in oro, smeraldi, zaffiri, rubini e diamanti. Circa 1890
Da Chamarande, un bracciale in oro, smeraldi, zaffiri, rubini e diamanti. Circa 1890
Collana fenicia in oro, turchesi e ametista
Collana fenicia in oro, turchesi e ametista
Eau Revante Belle Impossible pendant Sylvie Corbelin Bourg en Bresse 1958 design jeweller since 2000 18 carat gold silver diamonds brown diamonds ruby moonstone beetle wings amethyst Unique piece
Galerie Martel-Greiner, Eau Rêvante – Belle Impossible, pendente. Sylvie Corbelin (Bourg-en-Bresse, 1958). Oro 18 carati, argento, diamanti, diamanti brown, rubino, pietra di luna, ali di scarafaggio, ametista. Il Beetlewing è un’antica tecnica artigianale che utilizza ali di scarafaggio iridescenti praticate tradizionalmente in Tailandia
Galerie Montaigne, anello di Cartier in oro bianco con diamanti e zaffiri
Galerie Montaigne, anello di Cartier in oro bianco con diamanti e zaffiri

Galerie Montaigne, collana in oro, smalto, ametiste e diamanti. Cartier, circa 1950
Galerie Montaigne, collana in oro, smalto, ametiste e diamanti. Cartier, circa 1950







Precious Brafa




The Brafa is back, with many ancient jewels. Here are the preview images ♦ ︎
The fastest enthusiasts have already started organizing the trip. From Saturday 27 January to Sunday 4 February 2018 the Brafa reopens, edition number 63, a major antiques show in Brussels. It is not necessary to add, for the fans, that the great antique dealers also include those specialized in jewelery. The Brafa is organized by the Association Foire des Antiquaires de Belgique, and has grown in recent years: the last edition has seen over 61,000 visits. At the 2018 appointment there will be 134 international galleries from 16 countries. To represent Italy, for example, will be the galleries Chiale Fine Art, Il Quadrifoglio-Brun Fine Art, Robertaebasta and Theatrum Mundi. Next to the Belgian Leysen, which will propose its latest creations, there are four galleries specialized in antique jewelry: Bernard Bouisset (France), Galerie Montaigne (Monaco), Chamarande and Epoque Fine Jewels (Belgium). The latter will exhibit an Art Nouveau pendant made by René Lalique in gold, diamonds and citrine quartz pendant decorated with enamels and glass panels engraved with images of two nymphs. Federico Graglia

The comment of the president of the Brafa, Harold t’Kint de Roodenbeke
We are particularly happy with the galleries selected for the 2018 edition. I think the quality level proposed this year is the highest ever, especially at an international level. For the first time, for the first time, we closed the memberships in June! We are not a fair organization and we want to keep the number of exhibitors in this dimension, focusing on quality. This excludes some countries, especially those that do not have medium-term planning habits, but helps us to keep the quality offered to visitors and our collectors high. In recent years, the request is such as to force us to anticipate full-booked. Now we are impatient to open the doors to our visitors.





Tour & Taxis, palazzo dove si svolge il Brafa
Tour & Taxis, palazzo dove si svolge il Brafa

Chaumet, orecchini con zaffiri burmesi, diamanti, platino
Chaumet, orecchini con zaffiri burmesi, diamanti, platino
Da Epoque Fine Jewels, questo «collier de chien» datato 1910 di Cartier, in platino e diamanti
Da Epoque Fine Jewels, questo «collier de chien» datato 1910 di Cartier, in platino e diamanti
Alla galleria Bernard Bouisset, collana in oro, platino e diamanti,  Francia, 1950
Alla galleria Bernard Bouisset, collana in oro, platino e diamanti, Francia, 1950
Galleria Leysen, orecchini in oro bianco, smeraldi colombiani e diamanti baguette
Galleria Leysen, orecchini in oro bianco, smeraldi colombiani e diamanti baguette
Galleria Leysen, anello in platino e diamante taglio smeraldo da 8,32 carati
Galleria Leysen, anello in platino e diamante taglio smeraldo da 8,32 carati
Collana in platino e zaffiri, Francia, circa 1960
Collana in platino e zaffiri, Francia, circa 1960
Bracciale in oro rosa e 33 carati di zaffiri colorati
Bracciale in oro rosa e 33 carati di zaffiri colorati
René Lalique, pendente in vetro, smalto, citrino, diamante, oro
René Lalique, pendente in vetro, smalto, citrino, diamante, oro







Jewelry & c at Brafa

Brussels is not only the capital of Belgium (and headquarters of EU Commission), but with the Brafa for a week is also the world center of antiques, including jewelery. For the uninitiated, the Brafa is the largest trade fair held in the spaces of the Tour & Taxis. It is repeated from 1955 and this year is home to 137 international art galleries (ten more than last year). In short, one of those events not to be missed for fans. There are not only the jewelry you see in these images: the nine days of opening can be seen more than 15 thousand works, which represent about 20 artistic types. The section dedicated to the jewelry includes galleries Epoquw Fine Jewels, Bernard Bouisset, Chamarande and Montaigne, offering antique jewelry, Art Nouveau, Art Deco and vintage alongside maison Boghossian and Leysen (pictured ring Alizé) exhibiting creations for the occasion. In addition, every day at 16, visitors can participate in Brafa Art Talks: a series of lectures as deepening of the different specializations of art on display (Saturday 30 there is also a meeting on the Egyptian Museum of Turin). Federico Graglia
BRAFA 2016 – Issue 61
From Saturday 23 to Sunday, January 31
Tour & Taxis, Avenue du Port 86 C, Brussels
Hours: 11-19 (Thursday, January 28 late opening until 22)
Ticket: full € 25, under 16 free, under 26 and groups (minimum 10 people) € 10
Info and tickets: www.brafa.be

Bracelet. Diamonds inlaid in fossilized wood
Bracelet. Diamonds inlaid in fossilized wood
Ring. Natural sapphire of Ceylan of 11.53 carats set on platinum. Certified by the French laboratory for gemmology. French work, Art Deco period (1920-1935)
Ring. Natural sapphire of Ceylan of 11.53 carats set on platinum. Certified by the French laboratory for gemmology. French work, Art Deco period (1920-1935)
Waterfall. Necklace in white gold set with diamonds and sapphire pearls (115 ct)
Waterfall. Necklace in white gold set with diamonds and sapphire pearls (115 ct)
Alizé. Ring in white gold set with brilliants and a pear shaped diamond of 2.21 ct FIY
Alizé. Ring in white gold set with brilliants and a pear shaped diamond of 2.21 ct FIY
Pair of pendant earrings. Boucheron, Paris. White gold set with 12 carats of diamonds. Two HRD certificates, signed and numbered. France, circa 1950
Pair of pendant earrings. Boucheron, Paris. White gold set with 12 carats of diamonds. Two HRD certificates, signed and numbered. France, circa 1950
Art Deco cuff bracelet. Platinum paved with 38 carats of diamonds. Circa 1930. Provenance: Monaco
Art Deco cuff bracelet. Platinum paved with 38 carats of diamonds. Circa 1930. Provenance: Monaco
Turtle brooch. Cartier. Set with emeralds, rubies and diamonds, mounted in platinum and 18ct gold signed Cartier Paris, and numbered Paris, circa 1960
Turtle brooch. Cartier. Set with emeralds, rubies and diamonds, mounted in platinum and 18ct gold signed Cartier Paris, and numbered Paris, circa 1960
Antique dragonfly brooch «en tremblant», Joseph Nivelon. Set with sapphires, rubies and diamonds, mounted in platinum and gold Maker's mark of Joseph Nivelon. Paris, circa 1905. Provenance: Madame la Marquise de Contades
Antique dragonfly brooch «en tremblant», Joseph Nivelon. Set with sapphires, rubies and diamonds, mounted in platinum and gold Maker’s mark of Joseph Nivelon. Paris, circa 1905. Provenance: Madame la Marquise de Contades
Florentine crew necklace 18 ct yellow and pink gold. Two chains with five oval medallions inlaid with a hard stone mosaic surrounded by trompe-l'œil half pearls. Octagonal clasp in glass paste and agate. Italy, circa 1880. W 44 cm
Florentine crew necklace 18 ct yellow and pink gold. Two chains with five oval medallions inlaid with a hard stone mosaic surrounded by trompe-l’œil half pearls. Octagonal clasp in glass paste and agate. Italy, circa 1880. W 44 cm

Sorry, this entry is only available in Italian. For the sake of viewer convenience, the content is shown below in the alternative language. You may click the link to switch the active language.

Prenotate il biglietto: torna Brafa, la grande fiera dell’antiquariato e dei gioielli. La manifestazione si svolgerà da sabato 25 gennaio a domenica 2 febbraio 2014 negli spazi espositivi del Tour & Taxis di Bruxelles. Braf è ormai arrivata alla edizione 59. Sono previsti 131 espositori, e sei tra gallerie specializzate e maison di gioielleria. Il Brafa è un’occasione per gli amanti di gioielli antichi: gli organizzatori sono già in grado di anticipare alcuni tra i pezzi più interessanti, come il pendente Art Nouvevau esposto da Epoque Fine Jewels: realizzato da Lucien Gautrait a Parigi intorno al 1900, il profilo femminile è una vera scultura in oro con smalto plique à jour, opali, smeraldi, perle e diamanti. Qualche anno in meno, 880-90, ma altrettanto stupefacente il collier esposto da Galerie Chamarande, con cinque farfalle in filigrana unite da quattro catene d’oro fra perle, rubini, zaffiri. E da Bernard Bouisset una parure di collier, orecchini e bracciale in platino con rubini cabochon e diamanti taglio baguette del 1935. Galerie Montaigne porta invece al Brafa una selezione di gioielli degli anni Trenta e Quaranta, tra cui una doppia spilla Cartier (1941) con motivo cachemire in platino e oro con diamanti. Le maison Leysen (Bruxelles) e Bogh-Art (Ginevra-Bruxelles), infine, presentano collezioni esclusive di ispirazione Art Déco. Giulia Netrese

BRAFA 2014 – Edizione n° 59 – www.brafa.be

Tour & Taxis – Avenue du Port 86 C / B – 1000 Bruxelles
Da sabato 25 gennaio a domenica 2 febbraio 2014 dalle 11 alle 19.
Apertura notturna Giovedì 30 gennaio 2014 fino alle 22
Biglietto d’ingresso 20 €, ridotto a 10 € per gruppi (oltre 10 persone) e under 26

Spilla Cartier, 1941
Spilla Cartier, 1941

 

 

 

 

Pendente degli anni Belle Epoque
Pendente degli anni Belle Epoque

 

 

Collana Charamande 1880-1900
Collana Charamande 1880-1900