Kremlin Museums Presents "Jewels Inspired by Nature” featuring Goldsmith/Enamelist Ilgiz F.

From Press Release

"Jewels Inspired by Nature”
Exhibition at the Kremlin Museums Presents
Timepieces by BOVET and Ilgiz F.

Pascal Raffy, Elena Gagarina and Ilgiz F.

Last month an extraordinary joint exhibition between Russian goldsmith Ilgiz Fazulzyanov and BOVET 1822 was officially opened. The event was exceptional in that the last independent jeweler to have been granted the privilege of presenting a solo exhibition within the walls of the Moscow Kremlin Museum was none other than Peter Carl Fabergé. 

           Pascal Raffy, Inna Solovieva and Sergei Kuznetsov             Pascal Raffy, Dina Fazulzyanova and Ilgiz Fazulzyanov

The fact that Elena Gagarina, General Director of the Moscow Kremlin Museums and host of the exhibition, decided to welcome Ilgiz Fazulzyanov into the Ouspenskaya Bell Tower demonstrates that despite his young age, the artist has already left his mark on the history of fine jewelry with his characteristic style. Inspired by nature, his jewelry not only reproduces its slightest, most delicate details; it also conveys the emotions roused by the flight of a dragonfly or the scent of a flower.

This talent was immediately apparent when Ilgiz F. and Pascal Raffy, owner of BOVET 1822 and DIMIER 1738, met two years ago. Since its foundation, BOVET 1822 has represented the very essence of watchmaking art forms and has won acclaim over the last two centuries for taking the decorative arts, such as engraving or miniature grand feu enamel painting, to new heights. The excellence of the BOVET craftsmen has also ensured that the Maison is regularly featured in the collections of the most prestigious watchmaking and art museums around the world.

BOVET 1822 and Ilgiz F. have been working together since 2015 to create a collection of exclusive timepieces that harmoniously combine grand feu enameling, gem-setting and watchmaking technology. Their partnership has already given rise to around ten unique pieces, several of which are an integral part of this exhibition.

Through its involvement in this event, BOVET is proud to be supporting the most talented artist of his generation while presenting enthusiasts of superbly crafted fine watchmaking marvels with a collection that is worthy of the pocket watches produced by the Maison in the 19th century.

The emotion and wonder expressed by the prominent figures who attended the opening ceremony indicate that the exhibition promises to be a great success, captivating visitors and collectors until July 31st.

About BOVET:BOVET 1822 is a Swiss Manufacturer of luxury timepieces whose origins date back to 1822, the year in which Edouard Bovet founded their workshop in the picturesque Val-de-Travers region of Switzerland. BOVET is renowned for its pocket watches manufactured for the Chinese market in the 19th century. Today, under the guidance and ownership of Pascal Raffy, a visionary with a passion for Haute Horlogerie, BOVET is thriving, manufacturing unique timepieces distinguished by their pocket watch inspired form. From extraordinary complications such as tourbillons and minute repeaters, to rare artisanal crafts such as enamel painting and fleurisanne engraving, each BOVET timepiece is brought to life under the practiced hand of a BOVET master watchmaker. With a highly limited production annually, BOVET seeks to preserve and cultivate the art and craft of traditional watchmaking, while delighting connoisseurs and collectors.
For additional information please visit:www.bovet.com

Ilgiz F. was born in Kazan. After graduating from the Kazan School of Art, the self-taught jeweler continued to master the art of jewelry creation independently. In 1994, Ilgiz F. discovered the art of gemstone enameling and, in a matter of months, mastered the technique to such an extent that his new creations received the highest praise from French experts, with Madame Figaro publishing an article entitled “the champion of enamel”. From that moment on, grand feu enameling became his favorite technique.

In 1999, Ilgiz F. relocated his jewelry workshop to Moscow, marking a new phase in his work and earning him increasing international renown. Ilgiz F. started to meet with customers and collectors from around the world. In 2008, he became the first living jeweler to have his work sold at auction by Christie’s. Several years later, this prestigious British establishment was followed by another auction house, Bonham’s. In 2011, his Bullfinches pendant won first prize at the International Jewelry Design Excellence Awards in Hong Kong. The pendant depicts a branch with three birds symbolizing the Russian winter. In 2013, Ilgiz F. confirmed his title of “Champion of Champions” with the Butterflies jewelry set, which conveys the state of nature during a solar eclipse using faceted black pearls.

To date, Ilgiz F. is the only jeweler in the world to have received two of this competition’s top awards. In 2014, Ilgiz F. also won first prize in the competition held by the Russian State, securing the “precious metals and precious gemstones” award for his Crows pendant. The works of Ilgiz F. can be found in museums and private collections around the world. The Moscow Kremlin Museum, meanwhile, has bought six other pieces for its own collection in Russia.