For nearly a decade, Cindy Chao found it difficult to recreate the sense of isolation and starkness that defined her early works, particularly the black-and-white Four Seasons pieces. However, in 2016, with her debut at the renowned Paris Biennale, she revisited these themes by crafting the "Winter Leaves Necklace," symbolising rebirth and new beginnings while paying homage to her earlier creations and marking her entry onto the global stage.
The "Winter Leaves Necklace," developed over four years in collaboration with European master artisans, features wax-moulded titanium branches with delicately folded and curled leaves. Yellow and brown diamonds trace the central veins, contrasting with more than 6,000 white diamonds to create remarkable depth. The necklace incorporates 11 hidden joints and six connecting axes, allowing it to fit seamlessly to the wearer’s neckline. Despite its intricate craftsmanship, the piece weighs only 78.7 grams, evoking the lightness and fluidity of real leaves.
In 2019, the "Winter Leaves Necklace" was awarded the Masterpiece Highlight at Masterpiece London, making Cindy Chao the first high jewellery brand to receive this prestigious honour. Philip Hewat-Jaboor, chairman of Masterpiece London, commended the necklace as "the real spirit and intellectual curiosity that is put into these works have tremendous craftsmanship and design, beautiful stones, the combination of the stones, the quality of the workmanship, the craftsmanship this is required to put these works together in such a seemingly effortless way."
