Cindy Chao

Cindy Chao is a globally renowned Taiwanese jewellery designer, celebrated for her artistic high jewellery creations. In 2004, she founded her brand Cindy Chao The Art Jewel, quickly establishing a solid position in the high jewellery industry. Her works blend unique aesthetics of architecture and sculpture, stemming from her family’s artistic heritage—Cindy’s father, Chao Anyu, is a sculptor, while her grandfather, Hsieh Tzu-Nan, was a renowned architect.

A hallmark of her creations is the 360° perfect setting craftsmanship, which allows each piece of jewellery to be appreciated from all angles and showcases the rare softness of hard precious metals, giving her works a vivid appearance. Her design philosophy merges “architectural sense, sculptural quality, and vitality”, allowing her jewellery to transcend traditional boundaries and garner favour among collectors and art enthusiasts.

Throughout her 20-year career, Cindy Chao has received numerous accolades. She is the first Taiwanese jewellery artist to be featured at a Christie's auction. Her pieces such as the Royal Butterfly brooch, Ruby Butterfly Brooch and Peony Brooch are permanently housed in esteemed institutions like the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in the United States, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris and the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Jeffrey Post, the director of the Smithsonian Museum, stated: “The collection of this piece (the Royal Butterfly) aims to allow future generations to appreciate this monumental work that stands as an artistic benchmark of the 21st century.”

Additionally, she was awarded the title of Knight in the Order of Arts and Letters in France in 2021. During the award ceremony, French Minister of Culture Roselyne Bachelot remarked: “Cindy Chao is an extraordinary jewellery artist who continually challenges herself to surpass the limits of artistic creation, achieving an extraordinary balance in jewellery metalwork, sculptural techniques and architectural spatial thinking.”

Her collections, especially the Black Label Masterpieces and White Label Collection, are known for their exquisite detail and artistic expression. Recently, she created new works inspired by the four seasons to celebrate her brand’s 20th anniversary, further showcasing her ability to blend nature with high art.