Renowned high-jewellery artist Anna Hu has reached a significant milestone in her illustrious career, with her exquisite creations now included in the permanent collections of four prestigious museums worldwide. Following earlier accolades, which saw her work displayed at the State Historical Museum in Moscow in 2018 and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris in 2022, two new acquisitions have been made in 2024. Boston’s Museum of Fine Arts welcomed the Enchanted Ania brooch in May, while the British Museum in London recently added the Enchanted White Lily bangle to its collection in September.
Acquisitions such as these not only underscore Hu’s growing global recognition but also highlight the artistic merit and cultural significance of her work. “I am extremely proud to see my high-jewellery pieces in such institutions and in the middle of such prestigious art collections,” says Hu as she expresses her pride and gratitude while reflecting on these monumental achievements. “It’s a true honour and deep recognition of my work.”
One of Hu’s most celebrated pieces, the Enchanted White Lily bangle, now resides within the British Museum’s esteemed Sir Joseph Hotung Gallery of China and South Asia. This remarkable creation draws inspiration from the renowned Chinese artist Zhang Daqian, capturing the delicate beauty of flowers through its intricate design. It features a stunning 30.48-carat natural rubellite, elegantly framed by vibrant yellow stamens, and the craftsmanship combines enamel and rock crystal to create a unique texture, while the silver petals boast a luxurious, silky finish. Designed to resemble a flower stem, the bangle is meticulously crafted from gold, brass, and silver, hand-painted in luminous green enamel.
Jessica Harrison-Hall, keeper of the department of Asia at the British Museum, emphasised the significance of this piece, noting its dialogue between antiquity and modernity. “When I first laid eyes on it, I was immediately captivated by its extraordinary beauty—something unique and refreshingly different,” she remarked, recognising the bangle’s connection to the historic holdings of the British Museum and the seamless fit into its permanent collection. In the same year, the Enchanted Ania brooch made its debut in the United States at the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, marking a notable addition to the institution’s newly renovated Rita J. and Stanley H. Kaplan Family Foundation Gallery. Inspired by Zhang Daqian’s Orchid painting, this largescale brooch embodies a thread of naturalism in jewellery that has persisted for millennia. Curator Emily Stoehrer expressed her enthusiasm for including Hu’s work, highlighting its unprecedented scale and innovative materials, noting that “the scale and use of new materials is unlike anything made before.”
Hu’s Enchanted Ania brooch showcases soft petals fashioned from titanium, each exhibiting a graceful charm, while the stamen is adorned with natural spinels that enhance its vitality. Its design pays homage to traditional Chinese splash-ink painting and calligraphy, further celebrating Hu’s ability to blend ancient artistry with contemporary techniques.
Another notable addition to Hu’s portfolio is the Yin Yang hand ornament, which entered the Musée des Arts Décoratifs in Paris through a special commission from globally acclaimed photographer Cindy Sherman. It features a snake design crafted from an array of gemstones, including yellow and black diamonds, garnets, and mother-of-pearl, embodying a personal motif that reflects Hu’s artistic vision. Moreover, the China Red Magpie brooch has secured its place in Moscow’s State Historical Museum, marking Hu as the first Asian contemporary jewellery artist to have her work featured. Inspired by Giuseppe Castiglione’s Immortal Blossoms in an Everlasting Spring, this brooch is designed with over 500 meticulously placed gemstones, culminating in a vibrant representation of magpies set within a lush forest.
Anna Hu continues to forge connections with museums studded around the globe, where her creations are celebrated for their artistic value and craftsmanship. As Hu’s masterpieces find homes in these renowned institutions, they not only enhance their collections but also further establish her legacy within the world of high jewellery like no other.
