A Light Above Descending

Throughout time, people have had to navigate worlds whose systems have largely been built against them. But glimmers of hope have always existed. Visual artist deborah loh imagines a timeline populated by this belief, juxtaposed against significant pieces from the world of watches and jewellery

- Hillary Kang

STUCK IN A LAND STUCK IN TIME STILL BELOW MANY GLOW

Butterflies have been known to drink crocodile tears: Biologists say that these tears provide the butterfly with a valuable source of nutrition. It's a strange notion, to picture such a fragile creature perched atop a famously mercurial one. But Loh notes that the phrase 'butterfly effect' comes to mind: The idea that something that's not normally perceived as powerful, or threatening, can actually enact great change.

Two Butterfly earrings and pendant in yellow gold, white gold, and turquoise with diamonds, VAN CLEEF & ARPELS

WARY OF STRONG JAWS CRUSHING LIMBS

YET FORECAST CALLS SOFT WINGS BRINGING WINDS

Bulgari's famed B.zerol collection is redolent with history. Introduced at the turn of the century in 1999, the collection's distinctive motif is meant to echo Rome's Colosseum, a rich historical artefact that has weathered a millennium and outlived empires. Loh visualises a world once populated by titans — once seemingly unassailable and untouchable, but in reality, ephemeral and mortal — and those who have been sidelined, waiting for their turn to rise.

B.zerol Rock ring in rose gold and ceramic, B.zerol Rock ring in yellow gold with diamonds, BVLGARI

STICKS AND STONE BREAK SCISSORS AND BONE