Lapis Lazuli

Discover this mystical stone which, as early as prehistoric times, has fascinated civilizations with its deep colour: ultramarine blue.

Lapis Lazuli, a Mystical Stone

Its Story in History. Found on archaeological sites, lapis lazuli elements date back to 6,500 to 3,750 BC. They were jewels, amulets, and royal seals. In the Middle Ages, men drank it in powder as a cure for weak bodies and frightened minds. In art, it was used as blue pigment in various paintings and drawings throughout the world – from Kizil’s buddhist cave frescoes (China) to Italian Renaissance chapels. Magnificent lapis lazuli sculptures are exhibited in the Louvre Museum (Paris) and the State Hermitage Museum (St. Petersburg).

Carving It. Lapis Lazuli used to come from the Urals (Russia). Today, though it can also be found in Chile, it is in Afghanistan that lapis lazuli stones are the most beautiful – bright blue with small flecks of golden pyrite. When the stone is natural and rough, it is often very thin, as thin as a roof tile. Well suited for jewellery use, most rough lapis are not for sculpture in the round.

Our Collection. TresOrient owns one of the most significant collections in Europe, not only in terms of quantity – almost 300 pieces – and dimensions, but also of thematic diversity.

Born from an outstanding stone, our sculptures richly embody artistic minuteness and inspired variety.