This spring, Sotheby’s Brussels pays tribute to one of Belgium’s most groundbreaking goldsmiths with the retrospective ‘Memories – Jewels, Sculptures, Paintings’. From April 3 to April 25, 2025, this exhibition offers a unique insight into the creative legacy of Claude Wesel (1942-2014), a visionary who reshaped the world of contemporary jewelry.
Innovation and craftsmanship
Wesel was a pioneer in his field, pushing the boundaries of jewelry design by combining traditional materials such as gold and gemstones with unexpected elements like titanium, rubber, plexiglass, and horn. His work blends mechanical precision with organic forms, creating a biomorphic artistic language that remains unparalleled.
A career of influence
After training at La Cambre, Wesel quickly made his mark at the prestigious Demaret jewelry house, where he designed over 3,000 pieces in just eight years. From the 1970s onwards, his creations gained international recognition, leading to exhibitions in Tokyo, New York, Hong Kong, Berlin, and Paris.
Prestigious awards and museum collections
Wesel’s revolutionary approach earned him numerous accolades, including multiple De Beers Awards and the Belgian Jewels Today public prize in Washington, DC. His work is now part of the permanent collections of world-renowned museums such as the Diamantmuseum Antwerp, Schmuckmuseum Pforzheim, and the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston.
Beyond jewelry: iconic bolo ties and sculptural designs
In addition to his avant-garde jewelry, Wesel was also a sculptor and painter. He reinterpreted the bolo tie, originally a Native American accessory, giving it a modern, artistic twist. Using silver, steel, plexiglass, and gemstones, he crafted unique pieces that seamlessly bridge casual and formal fashion.
Fabienne Wesel and Collectors Gallery: preserving a legacy
His daughter Fabienne Wesel has dedicated her career to preserving and promoting his work. As the curator of this exhibition, she brings his groundbreaking creations back into the spotlight.
Meanwhile, Betty De Stefano continues Wesel’s artistic vision at the Collectors Gallery in Sablon, an intimate art space dedicated to modernist and contemporary jewelry. The gallery houses a permanent collection of Wesel’s work, ensuring his legacy endures.
The Claude Wesel retrospective will be on view at Sotheby’s Brussels from April 3 to April 25, 2025. A permanent collection of his work is also available at Collectors Gallery, Sablon.
