Traditional vs Modern. A Curated Selection of Chinese Contemporary Jewellery and Crafts by Klimt02
Published: 11.04.2025
Klimt02
- Curator:
- Klimt02
Brooch: Stone Gambing #2, 2024
Jadeite, 24k and 18k gold
8 x 4.6 x 0.6 cm
Photo by: Zhipeng Wang
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Here is a selection curated by Klimt02 editors with 68 pieces of art created in recent years by Chinese artists. These pieces stand out for their creativity, consistency in technical solutions, and great knowledge of materials. They could be seen as a projection of innovation, strength, and the future in the field of arts and crafts.
The selection is based on content published and stored in our Klimt02 archive, with over 336 items, including the artworks published, 24 Jewellers, 5 Galleries and 9 Institutions, all members of Klimt02, 298 events and 178 articles and interviews, all reflecting recent developments in the world of arts and crafts in China.
China is a country with an unparalleled tradition in the treatment of materials and artistic knowledge which we at Klimt02 think that we need to pay attention to and learn from. We believe that one cannot conquer the future without knowing the past. And there is no modernity without knowing and valuing everything that has been achieved and is part of what we call tradition.
> Find out in our Klimt02 search engine what is happening in China
China is a country with an unparalleled tradition in the treatment of materials and artistic knowledge which we at Klimt02 think that we need to pay attention to and learn from. We believe that one cannot conquer the future without knowing the past. And there is no modernity without knowing and valuing everything that has been achieved and is part of what we call tradition.
> Find out in our Klimt02 search engine what is happening in China
Necklace: Guanyin I, 2025
Jade, stainless steel
From series: Nude Jade Pierced
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Brooch: Balance of life 4, 2024
Silver, Iron
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Necklace: I Love Dog, I Love You 5, 2024
Copper, flocking fiber, cotton thread, steel wire
20 x 11 x 3 cm
From series: I Love Dog, I Love You
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Ring: Cap, 2023
Bottle cap, silver, gem
3.5 x 3.5 x 0.6 cm
Photo by: Ikki Mao
From series: Two Face
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Sculpture: Seed, 2023
925 silver, wood, resin, water-wood lacquer, large lacquer, tin powder
Photo by: Zongquan Ling
'I have great faith in seeds. If I am made to believe that you have a seed, I am going to expect life to manifest miracles.'
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Estimated price: 1000 €
Brooch: Munch 1, 2022
Enamel, copper, sterling silver, steel
6.5 x 0.5 x 5.5 cm
From series: Munch
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Brooch: Flatland IV, 2022
Oxidized sterling silver, stainless steel (pin).
8 x 6.7 x 1.1 cm
From series: Flatland
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Necklace: Precious Food - Cherry Tomatoes Necklace, 2022
Colored copper wire, 925 silver plated with platinum
45 cm
From series: Precious Food
Each fruit size 2cm diameter
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Estimated price: 495 €
Brooch: Golden Boat, 2022
24k gold foil, autumn leaves, stainless steel needle, 935 silver, pigment.
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Brooch: 孝 Xiào, 2020
Rose quartz, 14ct gold.
12 x 3 x 2.5 cm
Photo by: Pei Wu
From series: Parent, past life, teddy bear
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Vessel: Please remove the thorn from my heart, 2021
Silver, enamel, natural silk.
7 x 5.3 x 5.3 cm; Pin: 4 x 0.4 cm
Photo by: Sunmo
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Necklace: Scotch Tape and Jade, 2020
Jade, scotch tape.
40 x 3 x 3 cm
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Estimated price: 4500 €
Ring: It’s Complicated, 2020
18K Gold
8 x 5 x 5cm, 5 x 4 x 6cm, 6 x 4 x 5.6cm, 5 x 6 x 6cm
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Brooch: The Unknown Journey, 2018
Enamel paintings, enamel, iron.
8 x 6.4 x 0.1 cm
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Object: A flower roots in my heart-soda bubbles, 2021
925silver, zirconia
4.8 x 5.7 x 3.8 cm
Photo by: Yolanda Zheng
From series: A flower roots in my heart
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Ring: Escape Plan: New LAND, 2020
Brass, glass, tophus, shell pearl.
10 x 10 x 5 cm
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Brooch: Swimming With Plankton, 2021
Sterling silver, alloy Wire, stainless Wire
17 x 10 x 10 cm
Photo by: Leslye Zhang
From series: Swimming With Plankton
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Estimated price: 800 €
Necklace: Brightness and Darkness, 2012
925 silver tube, red copper tube.
25 x 27 x 6 cm
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Ring: Twine I, 2020
Alumina ceramic.
1.3 x 3 x 4.8 cm
From series: Sugar Melon
Alternative view.
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Brooch: Eternal Land #3, 2020
Plastic, sterling silver (patinaed), pearls, clay, human tooth, acrylic paint, plastic dye, steel (pin).
5 x 16.5 x 3 cm
Photo by: Xiangyin Shi
From series: Eternal Land
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Ring: Self-protection, 2019
Silver, oxidized copper.
5.7 x 4.5 x 5.1 cm
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Ring: Untitled, 2014
Microliths, ebony
3.6 x 3.7 x 1.5 cm
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Brooch: D.H. VIII, 2019
Sterling silver, 18k yellow gold, stainless steel (pin).
8 x 7 x 5.5 cm
Photo by: Zihan Yang
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Earrings: Earphone, 2018
Gold plated silver, pearl.
From series: Phone Collection
A-D-JUST Jewellery.
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Ring: Ring III, 2019
24k gold (inner ring), talc.
3 x 1 x 3.8 cm
From series: The Only Permanence is Impermanence
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Brooch: Untitled, 2017
Acrylic paint, silver, PVC, stainless steel.
11.2 x 7.6 x 4.1 cm
Photo by: Yajie Hu
Awarded at: Preziosa Young Design Competition 2019
From series: Tangible Colour
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Pendant: Hush!, 2018
White resin, silk.
7.5 x 4 x 40 cm
Photo by: Shengyi Chen
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Estimated price: 600 €
Object: Variants-FBKC-16-161, 2016
3D printing photosensitive resin, velvet, dye, etc.
22 x 11 x 11 cm
Photo by: Mingcong Xu
From series: Variants
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Object: Meditation Props: Gazing 1, 2021
Wax
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Brooch: Untitled, 2017
Acrylic, sterling silver, sequins, glass beads, nylon wire.
7.2 x 6.7 x 4.5 cm
Photo by: Wanshu Li
From series: Go with the Glow
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Piece: Enable before top secret, 2021
Brass, silk fabric, paper.
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Piece: Princess Syndrome, 2021
Glass, medical gauze.
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Piece: Toast with itself, 2021
Second-hand silver-plated European goblet.
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Vase: Front View 0° 1, 2019
Gilding metal.
11 x 23 x 21 cm
From series: Look Right
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Textile: Intervention 2, 2021
Wool, pearls, fishing line, sequins, silicone.
I hope that when the wearer interacts with this piece, from the visual contact with the form of the wool, to the texture of silicone in their hand, and the sensation of wool and silicone on the body, the wearer's perceptual experience is evoked, and they will experience the sensation of wearing "precious jewels".
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Ring: Love, 2020
Candle, pearl.
6 x 5 x 3 cm
Photo by: Yuming Zhang
From series: Love
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Estimated price: 599 €
Object: Half & half, 2018
Earthenware.
15 x 15 x 14.5 cm
Unique piece
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Object: Sewing, 2021
Silver, socks.
20 x 6 x 20 cm
Photo by: Zhengqiu Yan
From series: Sewing
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Estimated price: 655 €
Brooch: Gather, 2021
Silver, wax line.
12 x 12 x 3.5 cm
Photo by: Zhongquan Ling
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Vessel: The traces of my meal, 2021
Copper.
The form selected for the work is the most basic tableware. Tableware is chosen to maximize the contact with hands, so that interaction and marks can be more intuitively reflected. Due to the objective reasons of the thickness of the vessels, the final decision is made to use the laser engraving technique to show fingerprints. The final visual effect of the work is completed by the combination of craftsmanship and the expression of ideas. Through this series of works, I hope to arouse attention to some common but unusual habits and phenomena in life.
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Vessel: The Spout and the Members, 2021
Silver.
The work starts from the dialectical relationship between the whole and the part in philosophy, and applies it to creation. The aim is to study the dialectical relationship between the whole and the part in the object, and to think about the relationship between the body and the spout, handle, and lid, and to explore whether the form and function of the part and the whole can be converted. The part of the spout is hailed as one of the five senses of a person in the body. The part of the spout is transformed into a whole concept, and it is designed as a set of spout utensils.
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Brooch: Nuclear, 2021
925 silver, gold plated brass, silver leaf.
9.8 x 4.5 x 2 cm
From series: Nuclear
The inspiration of the works comes from personal feelings. In interpersonal communication, they are used to covering up their true emotions and ideas, showing a consistent attitude with the surrounding on the surface. In order to get along with others, they lose themselves and hide their true self.
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Brooch: Sweet Dreams, 2021
Copper, silk, glass, dream.
5 x 10 x 10 cm
Inspiration comes from daydreams in spring, some unrealistic ideas, the illusion of the waking moment. Nourish a little creature in a fantasy, and may it give you a dream in the end.
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Object: Between Hills and Water, 2017
Ceramic, metal, enamel.
60 x 27 x 43 cm
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Object: Filigree Pot with Loop-handled, 2012
Pure silver.
12 x 12 x 28 cm
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Piece: Like a shadow 1, 2019
Ceramic, silver, gold
9 x 7 x 3 cm
Photo by: Hua Chen
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Brooch: Fire Pattern, 2020
Cold enamel, brass.
6.2 x 5 x 0.5 cm
From series: Soliloquy
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Piece: Green Blades, 2021
3D printed resin, spray paint.
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Object: Crustacean I, 2020
Copper.
4 x 7 cm
Photo by: Ting Chun Chen
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Piece: 21 Gram, 2020
Glass, silver, gold foil, 3D printing.
7 x 5 x 1 cm
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Brooch: Beware of Peephole, 2020
Brass.
Part of the installation Beware of Peephole.
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Furniture: Dandelion, 2020
Bamboo.
Selected as Finalists in LOEWE FOUNDATION Craft Prize 2020. Category: Furniture.
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Piece: SHE, 2020
Cotton, wood.
Awarded at: LOEWE FOUNDATION Craft Prize 2021 Winners
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Vase: 1997, 2021
Stoneware
150 x 100 x 42 cm
Selected Finalist at the LOEWE FOUNDATION Craft Prize 2022.
Finely crafted and expertly executed, this installation combines 18 individual pieces created using the traditional Yixing clay slab technique. The work shows both an enjoyment and mastery of the ceramic process, and the individual pieces sit in conversational dialogue. A variation in the application of glazed finishes creates a range of beautifully soft tones that punctuate the final firing.
Finely crafted and expertly executed, this installation combines 18 individual pieces created using the traditional Yixing clay slab technique. The work shows both an enjoyment and mastery of the ceramic process, and the individual pieces sit in conversational dialogue. A variation in the application of glazed finishes creates a range of beautifully soft tones that punctuate the final firing.
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Object: Rice Instrument, 2016
Silver.
12 x 11 x 8.5 cm
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Estimated price: 2300 €
Necklace: Love Never Fail, 2020
Silver filigree.
13 x 7 cm
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Object: Memorial of Youth, 2020
Gold plated over brass.
50 x 23 x 18 cm
Wine or tea set.
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Set: Untitled, 2018
Resin, rubber, polyester thread.
12 x 4.5 x 2.5 cm
From series: Lockey
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Brooch: Untitled, 2018
Italian pasta with natural added pigments, silver.
16 x 7 x 5 cm
Photo by: Qian Wang
From series: I’m not cooking pasta, I’m doing jewellery.
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Bracelet: 14.04.2020, 2020
Lego dinosaur toy, Taishan jade, silver.
13 x 4.5 x 13 cm
Photo by: Liao Fan
From series: Jewellery Diary in Lockdown
On body
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Brooch: Young & Beautiful, 2015
High-tech veneers, metal, silver, plated coating.
8 x 7 x 4 cm
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Brooch: Sunken, 2019
Copper, brass, paint, stainless steel (pin).
8 x 1 x 8 cm
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Piece: Fu Xi, 2019
925 silver, Russian agates, Swiss leather.
22 x 29.8 x 4.7 cm
Photo by: Daniel Reily
From series: Dragon Myth
The piece as a necklace.
Bag beads, necklace, pendant, card case.
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Estimated price: 9800 €
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