A stunning collection of jewellery from around the world that showcases some of the finest examples of their kind -- a must for the collector or connoisseur.
Eternal Jewels celebrates the World Jewellery Museum's 20th anniversary, inviting readers into the poetic vision of founder Lee Kangwon, whose museum is known as the ‘Jewel of Seoul’. Published here for the first time, the book presents extraordinary pieces alongside Lee's untold stories from her diplomatic travels across four continents.
For Lee Kangwon, a collector and poet, each acquisition represents a spiritual journey transcending borders. The museum's aesthetic presentation reflects her poetic sensibilities, rooted in Korean traditions of meditation on beauty as a path to spiritual purity. From Colombian emerald mines and Tibetan temples to her family's royal heirloom jewels, the collection spans centuries and civilizations. Each piece – whether a ceremonial headpiece or intimate talisman – carries profound cultural significance and human connection. Through this carefully curated anthology, Lee fulfills her museum's mission to spread light full of beauty and wonder through jewelry, creating bridges between cultures, past and present, material and spiritual realms.
Foreword 6
Introduction 18
Amber: Three Stones of Fortune 28
Amber 34
The Diplomats Wife 42
Rings 48
Ethiopia, My Love 54
Ethiopian Crosses 64
Emerald: The Poets Stone 70
Sacred Objects from El Dorado 78
Anklets & Bracelets 88
Brooches & Pendants 102
Modern Masters 114
The Tree of Love: A Journey into the Amazon 122
San Telmo: Where Time Tangos 128
Blessed Jewels: From Sister to Señor 136
Necklaces 142
Earrings & Headdress 158
Precious Curiosities 174
Index 182
Lee Kangwon stands among the world's foremost authorities in the field of jewellery. As the wife of a former diplomat, she has lived across four continents, visited more than 100 countries, and made her home in cities including Brasilia, Bonn, Addis Ababa, Washington DC, Bogota and Buenos Aires. In 2004, she founded the World Jewellery Museum in Seoul, which houses one of the world's most comprehensive jewellery collections. Lee is also an acclaimed poet whose works have been internationally published, including First Aid Kit for the Soul, Tango and Guerilla and The Tears of a Chameleon. Over two decades, she has played a prominent role in the museum field as founding president of the Seoul Museums Association and board member of the Culture Foundation of the National Museum of Korea. In 2016, she was awarded the Korean Presidential Citation and the Seoul Culture Award for her outstanding contributions to promoting international cultural exchange.
