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Precious Grotesqueries: The Jewels of William Harper In Paris

Exhibition  /  04 Mar 2026  -  10 Apr 2026
 
Published: 10.03.2026
Necklace: Beads for Morgan Le Fay by William Harper.Gold, cloisonné enamel on fine gold and fine silver, 18, 22 and 24 kt. Gold; pearl. 2004.22.8 x 17 cmUnique piece.Over the course of my 50-year career, I have created many different strands of beads, usually cloisonne enamel, high karat gold, but also other organic materials. Each strand would start as a single bead, to me each was similar to a short musical phrase.” Traditionally, beads are often amulets and talismans, and William Harper also has this in mind for his strands of beads. He says about amulets and talismans: “… at what point does the hope for supernatural protection stop and the desire for individual adornment begin.. William Harper
Necklace: Beads for Morgan Le Fay, 2004
Gold, cloisonné enamel on fine gold and fine silver, 18, 22 and 24 kt. Gold; pearl
22.8 x 17 cm
Over the course of my 50-year career, I have created many different strands of beads, usually cloisonne enamel, high karat gold, but also other organic materials. Each strand would start as a single bead, to me each was similar to a short musical phrase.” Traditionally, beads are often amulets and talismans, and William Harper also has this in mind for his strands of beads. He says about amulets and talismans: “… at what point does the hope for supernatural protection stop and the desire for individual adornment begin.
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Intro
Following the successful exhibition in our New York space, Les Enluminures Paris is honored to host an exhibition of fifteen of William Harper’s artworks – precious grotesqueries he calls them. Yes, artworks. They are far more than jewelry. He himself says: I have always believed that jewelry can be about something, have content, be more substantive than mere ornament. In other words, exist as Art.
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