The scuola San Rocco is a treasure hidden in the little-known foothills of Venice. For five centuries, it has been home to the most impressive collections by Titian, Tintoretto and Tiepolo. The mysterious reception room on the upper floor is the highlight of the visit, as you can admire it with a mirror. Why, you may ask ? Because the most beautiful paintings are actually located on the richly decorated coffered ceilings. In this chiaroscuro setting, Chaumet’s En Scène collection of fine jewelry is a perfect match. Inspired by music, magic and dance, it showcases the work of the workshops at 12 place Vendôme, who envisioned the collection as an opera score. In 1912, the Princesse de Polignac commissioned a diamond headband adorned with briolettes and a pair of wings inspired by Wagner’s The Valkyrie. About the dancers, Joseph Chaumet came in person to present his treasures to Belle Otero, queen of Paris’ “Belle Epoque”. Russian ballerina Ana Pavlova was also a regular at 12 Place Vendôme, as was Mistinguett, the famous revue leader of the Moulin-Rouge and Folies Bergère cabarets. Olga Picasso, former Russian Ballet dancer and wife of the famous painter, owned a monogrammed brooch and an impressive diamond necklace by Chaumet. This collection is nothing less than a heartfelt tribute to this long tradition, which today’s techniques make it possible to sublimate.