Paris, France —An astonishing world of agates, quartz and crystals emerges displaying the poetic and colorful language of minerals, a world that was captured in a collection and words by the great twentieth-century French writer Roger Caillois with his discerning eye and pen. L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, in partnership with France’s Muséum national d’histoire naturelle (MNHN), is presenting a retrospective dedicated to his incredible collection showcasing nearly 200 minerals some of which have never been seen before by the public. His collection is now a part of the collections of France’s national natural history museum whose French acronym is the MNHN. Essayist, grammarian and poet, Roger Caillois devoted part of his work to forge a better understanding of the connections between nature and art and it was the minute contemplation of minerals that inspired much of his reflections and poetic genius. 

Fittingly entitled Stones and Reveries: The Poetry and Minerals of Roger Caillois, the show juxtaposes the specimens with texts by the writer who was a member of the French Academy. He was also had a brilliant career at UNESCO where he contributed to cultural development and where his journeys led him to Asia and the Americas, journeys which enriched his knowledge and nourished his fascination for minerals. Between 1952 and 1978, he would assemble a remarkable collection of stones which he liked to call « fairy objects ». Today this invaluable collection, the lion’s share of which is housed at France’s Muséum national d’histoire naturelle, through the support of L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts, counts more than one thousand specimens. 

“This exhibition is the result of unprecedented research, which has allowed us to foster a dialogue between Roger Caillois’s exceptional stones and texts, many of which are being displayed for the very first time. It provides unique insight into the mind of a man whose collection unleashed a poetic expression of a rare intensity, transforming the mineral into a mirror of his thoughts and deepest aspirations,”  commented Pr. François Farges, PhD and curator of the exhibition, professor at France’s Muséum national d’histoire naturelle, scientist in charge of the MNHN’s collections of gems and objets d’art and formerly a professor at Stanford University. 

“L’Ardeur” (Ardor), agate. Likely from the Rio Grande do Sul state in Brazil Paris, Muséum national d’histoire naturelle, mineral and gem collection, photograph by François Farges . Handout via The Gourmet Gazette 

The Muséum national d’histoire naturelle is a research center, museum and university, the Muséum has over the last four centuries remained committed to studying geological, biological and cultural diversity and the relationship between humans and nature. It is celebrating its 400th anniversary this year. Established in 2012 with the support of Van Cleef & Arpels, L’ÉCOLE, School of Jewelry Arts aims to introduce the public to all aspects of jewelry culture through various activities: courses, workshops, talks, exhibitions, books and podcasts. The Roger Caillois mineral collection exhibition is on until March 29th with conferences workshops and activities for adults and children rounding out the program. The school offers a wide program of courses and lectures throughout the year and has an excellent bookstore devoted to gems and jewelry on the premises, the Hôtel de Mercy-Argenteau, an elegant 18th century French mansion and listed historic monument. ©Trish Valicenti for The Gourmet Gazette. The School of Jewelry Arts (L’École des Arts Joailliers), 16bis boulevard de Montmartre, Paris 75009, France. Exhibition: +33 (0)1 70 70 37 50. https://www.lecolevancleefarpels.com/fr/en