Carmen

Blood-red passion flowers on this minaudiere symbolize the fiery spirit of Carmen.

Carmen's spirit ignites our own desire to be self-governing. While her brutality to others is terrible, we envy the ruthlessness with which she defends her independence. Carmen's dangerous sexuality calls out to our non-intellectual side - the animal within each of us who yearns to be awakened.

Carmen Minaudiere:  $4,985 ea

Carmen was composed by Georges Bizet and premiered in Paris in 1875.

Carmen is a gypsy who meets Don Jose, a soldier, in Seville, Spain. He quickly becomes obsessed with her.  In the tobacco factory where Carmen works, a fight erupts between Carmen and some other women there.  Don Jose is ordered to arrest Carmen.  But she seduces him and he allows her to escape.  His desire for her is like a drug.  He deserts the army to be with her and her gypsy smuggler friends.  Carmen quickly tires of Don Juan's possessiveness and flirts with the celebrated bullfighter Escamillo.  Don Jose's childhood sweetheart, Micaela, finds him and persuades him to leave the gypsies to visit his dying mother.  In his fever of addiction to Carmen, he returns to Seville where he finds Carmen outside the bullring.  As passionately as Don Juan wants to possess her, Carmen desires her freedom.  She furiously declares her independence.  In a fit of smothering passion, Don Jose tragically kills her.  Carmen dies free.

Carmen is a classic objet d'art in the colours of diamond, ruby, emerald, tanzanite, garnet, and electric cobalt blue. The metal components are all gold vermeil with the exception of the purse chain eyelets. Chains in two lengths accompany the purse: one for the shoulder, the other for carrying by hand. The purse may also be carried as a clutch without the use of chains. The base is hand-enameled in rich colours then baked for a hard, endurable surface. In nightlights or sunlight, this collector's piece shimmers with intense sparkle.

The Carmen minaudiere is approximately 6.5" by 4" (18cm by 10cm). Inside is a small beveled mirror and hand-dyed silk lining. The purse arrives with two chains: one for shoulder wear and a short one for hand-carrying. It can also be carried as a clutch without either chain. The chains and all metal components are gold plate with the exception of the purse chain eyelets: they are made of a stronger metal. An artist Certificate of Authenticity as well as a jewelers' polishing cloth is enclosed. The purse is swathed in a silk velvet bag carefully nested within an elegant gift box. The Carmen minaudiere is signed and numbered by Mme. Carlin.

This couture design comes is part of the Ballet & Opera Collection. The design is exclusive to Olivia Carlin of Atelier Carlin. (Atelier is the French way of saying artist's studio.) Read more about Olivia Carlin by click on About the Artist in the column to your left. Each unique piece is designed, hand-crafted, signed, dated, and numbered by Mme. Carlin personally. A signed Certificate of Authenticity is included in the gift box. A Registration Journal containing the names of the owners of each Olivia Carlin minaudiere is kept at the Atelier.

Carmen Minaudiere:  $4,985 ea

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