As is usually the case when dealing with Van Cleef & Arpels, we’re faced with grace. This collaboration between the Japanese master and Van Cleef & Arpels is just one more example. Junichi Hakose is a lacquer artist from the town of Wajima, in the prefecture of Ishikawa. In 1975, he began an apprenticeship under the supervision of master maki-e lacquerer Masaru Tanaka. Five years of training later, Hakose began working independently. This blend of jewellery and traditional Japanese culture has given rise to a unique collaboration. These butterflies were first designed in France – made in yellow and white gold, nacre and diamonds – and finished by hand by Hakose, who embellished them with lacquer. Each of their motifs is unique, making these limited-edition pieces even more exclusive. The process is quite lengthy, as the Japanese master employs several techniques to decorate the butterflies’ wings, such as maki-e, raden, rankaku… We are simply in awe before these little gems, whose lyrical fineness has the power to transport us elsewhere.