Collection: CARTALLUM LEVEN

The Cartallum Leven Collection

Cartallum Leven, (cartallum is “basket” in Latin and Leven “life” in Dutch) is the first capsule collection by Angely Martinez, launched in 2020.

Inspired by still life paintings from the Dutch Golden Age period in the 17th century, through the use of colored gemstones, mixed metals (gold, silver and shakudo) and patina, the collection reflects elements of vanitas and the chiaroscuro technique mastered by Caravaggio. For this body of work, the artist wanted to explore the idea of light and darkness through the reflection of the light of the gems and the contrast with patinated silver.

The collection was hand fabricated by the designer herself at her home studio during the course of five months, at the height of the COVID-19 lockdown. The isolation of the pandemic contributed to Angely’s creativity and the experimentation of combining higher fine metals such as 14kt and 18kt yellow gold into her foundational work with sterling silver. All jewels are one-of-a-kind, collectible creations.