

N° 265
Box, birth place of the Friends series, 2024
Glass, sterling silver
Photography: Simon Debbaut-L'Ecluse
Description Estate Inventory (1851):
« Un médaillon, en forme de cœur avec des cheveux sous verre. »

Louise shared a small sentimental trinket with two of her friends, namely the English Queen Victoria and Duchess Viktoria von Sachsen-Coburg-Saalfeld-Koháry. All three women cherished similar glass medallions, which were keepers of each other’s hair. In a sense, this little trinity of gems proves how freely the sentiment of friendship allows itself to multiply. Sincere friendships, such as the friendships Louise upheld with her two Victorias, tend to unfold without effort, are unconstrained and emotionally wholesome, as friends know how to fulfil the needs that other loved ones tend to leave unanswered. In the hope that Louise would be able to surround herself by even more like-minded women, women with whom she could continue to exchange jewellery, a renewed medallion came into being. This new glass keeper doesn’t contain hair, but encloses an endless amount of new possible friendships. The piece is more than a mere ornament; it is a tool, a maker in itself. Its inside can serve as a mould in which new jewellery pieces can be cast, jewellery pieces that eventually compose the Friends series. All friends who choose to treasure a jewellery item from this Friends series, also choose to become friends with Louise.




