CGD

The hand-made collection produced by the Belda family enterprise comes from traditional jewellers' techniques and juggles with the subject of water. The two generations of jewellers sought their inspiration from water not only in the morphology but also in the selection of materials. The collection therefore abounds in pearls and corals and also figuratively employs the mineral moldavite. The motion of the water surface, then, inspired both the gliding necklaces and the vibrating clusters of river pearls in the form of charming earrings. The shape of the brooches reminds one of dragonflies and the so-called common pond skaters, thus perfectly fitting into the chosen subject, albeit being studded with Czech garnets. The latter mineral inseparably belongs to the family's native region and follows on from the preceding successful collection, aptly entitled Bohemian Paradise. It consists of both gold and silver pieces and represents a charming dialogue between the Belda parents and their youngest daughter, Viktorie. And equally as the family holds together, although each of their members is a strong personality, the Out of the Water collection is a compact complex of classical materials and methods, upgraded by fresh, modern expression.

Tereza Kozlová

This remarkable family company celebrated their 100th anniversary last year with a collection inspired by the Bohemian Paradise region where they are based. In this jewellery collection, the Beldas refer to legacy, tradition and pride. The youngest team member – Viktorie – represents the fourth generation of the family company. It was established in New York in 1915 by a competent businessman who traded with glass pearls with which he had had experience from his native town of Jablonec. Following the New York stock market crash, the tenacious businessman went back to Czechoslovakia and established a factory in Turnov which would go on to produce costume jewellery and export it all over the world. Although the factory was nationalised, it didn't stop the next generation from taking up jewellery making. In 1989, the Beldas got the factory back. On the occasion of its 100th anniversary, the Beldas presented their jewellery, trophies and replicas of Coronation Jewels at an exhibition in the Gothic chapel of the Stone Bell House in the Old Town Square. And at Designblok, they presented their Český ráj (Bohemian Paradise) collection (inspired by the region where the company is based) in which the designers explore new ways of showcasing the garnets and agates so typical of Czech jewellery. Even though the Beldas use these garnets and agates in new ways, they respect traditional handicraft. This produces a very interesting tension between these decorative semi-precious stones and their minimalist shapes.

Tereza Kozlová