Tatler attended the unveiling of the Chow Tai Fook Palace Museum Collection in Beijing to celebrate the brand’s 95th anniversary: a dazzling showcase of Chinese culture, traditional goldsmithing techniques and treasures inspired by antiques in The Palace Museum
The unveiling of the Chow Tai Fook Palace Museum Collection in Beijing reflects the brand’s effective blend of traditional Chinese craftsmanship with modern design. The collection, a collaboration between Chow Tai Fook and The Palace Museum, showcases a range of gold jewellery pieces inspired by the rich heritage of the Forbidden City. As I explored the collection, it became clear that each piece is both an artistic expression and a celebration of Chinese culture.
Among the standout pieces is the Gold Pendant with Gemstones, which features an outer band of gold and jade encircling an inner design that depicts one dragon riding on clouds and two others playing with a pearl. The pendant was created using ancient gold crafting techniques, such as filigree and granulation, and incorporates precious gemstones, diamonds and malachite. The piece symbolises good fortune and epitomises how traditional motifs can be reinterpreted in contemporary contexts.
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Exquisite gold ornaments inspired by antiques housed at The Palace Museum in Beijing (Photo: courtesy of Chow Tai Fook)
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The Gold and Gemstone Bangle is another highlight. It features a three-dimensional lion’s head sculpted from lazurite, malachite and south red agate, which offer a striking contrast against the gold. The craftsmanship involves several gold techniques, including round drum nails along its edges and fine filigree lining inside. This also serves as a reminder of the lion’s significance in Chinese culture as a symbol of protection and strength.
Meanwhile, the Butterfly Pendant pays tribute to a painting from The Palace Museum that depicts a begonia and butterfly.
This intricately designed piece consists of three layers: the outer layer showcases polished gold edged in netted filigree, the middle one features two pearls on either side, and an inner layer is adorned with green enamel and round diamonds. The centre is embellished with rubellite and pearl, symbolising harmony, good fortune, health and longevity—values deeply rooted in Chinese culture.
A particularly engaging aspect of the presentation was the opportunity to meet master artisans who have been working with Chow Tai Fook for over 30 years. They demonstrated some of those traditional goldsmithing techniques exhibited in the collection, including filigree and hammering. Watching these skilled craftsmen at work provided valuable insight into the meticulous processes behind each piece. Their expertise not only preserves these ancient methods but also ensures that they are passed down to future generations.
