Kim Eric Lilot
Kim Lilot
'A(l)titude' - Brooch
Baroque fresh water Pearl (origin: Japan), Druzy Agate, black diamond eyes, 18karat yellow and white gold, reticulated silver moon and hand-fired enamels. Measuring 70 x 53mm. Photographs by Summer Anderson.
Kim Eric Lilot
Lost in Time
Watch/Bracelet. 18K gold, 14K gold, Rolex watch, iron, steel, tamahagane (Japanese metal for sword-making), Rubellite tourmaline, diamonds, urushi finish
3" x 3" x 1.5"
“This piece represents the culmination of a life-long desire to illustrate my fascination with human drama and frailty in the face of the ravages of time. The narrative is one of a writhing skeleton emerging from a dark void, the ashes of the past, caught in the striving for purpose. A major inspiration for the bracelet’s scheme was the dramatic emerging remains of the victims in Herculaneum from the Mount Vesuvius eruption of 79 AD.
"The discovery of the smallest Rolex watch movement (now out-of-production) determined the bracelet’s anatomical proportions. The next task was to find a source of low-carbon iron, ideal for its durability and jet-black patina. The search led me to a Japanese ironmonger, who provided an ingot derived from the Tsuba (hand guard) of a Samurai sword (Tamahagane.) After forging, shaping and refining the iron into the bracelet’s oval, I achieved the rustproof jet-black patina (urushi finish) by using Ohaguro, an ancient formula developed by Japanese artisans.
"I then attached the Victorian funeral-like hinge and clasp, fabricated from 18-karat yellow gold, to the iron with pyramid-shaped rivets. Composed of 22 parts, the clasp is of a unique design, featuring a white gold double-spring mechanism, activated by the turning of a high-domed cabochon Rubellite Tourmaline. I sculpted the skeleton out of white gold and fastened it to the iron with hidden rivets. Finally, I attached the skull to the iron with gold screws, enabling access to the watch movement for servicing. Applying pressure to the forehead and temples moves a fulcrum-leveraged hinge, which reveals the skull’s contents.”
Kim Eric Lilot
Lost in Time
Watch/Bracelet. 18K gold, 14K gold, Rolex watch, iron, steel, tamahagane (Japanese metal for sword-making), Rubellite tourmaline, diamonds, urushi finish
3" x 3" x 1.5"
“This piece represents the culmination of a life-long desire to illustrate my fascination with human drama and frailty in the face of the ravages of time. The narrative is one of a writhing skeleton emerging from a dark void, the ashes of the past, caught in the striving for purpose. A major inspiration for the bracelet’s scheme was the dramatic emerging remains of the victims in Herculaneum from the Mount Vesuvius eruption of 79 AD.
"The discovery of the smallest Rolex watch movement (now out-of-production) determined the bracelet’s anatomical proportions. The next task was to find a source of low-carbon iron, ideal for its durability and jet-black patina. The search led me to a Japanese ironmonger, who provided an ingot derived from the Tsuba (hand guard) of a Samurai sword (Tamahagane.) After forging, shaping and refining the iron into the bracelet’s oval, I achieved the rustproof jet-black patina (urushi finish) by using Ohaguro, an ancient formula developed by Japanese artisans.
"I then attached the Victorian funeral-like hinge and clasp, fabricated from 18-karat yellow gold, to the iron with pyramid-shaped rivets. Composed of 22 parts, the clasp is of a unique design, featuring a white gold double-spring mechanism, activated by the turning of a high-domed cabochon Rubellite Tourmaline. I sculpted the skeleton out of white gold and fastened it to the iron with hidden rivets. Finally, I attached the skull to the iron with gold screws, enabling access to the watch movement for servicing. Applying pressure to the forehead and temples moves a fulcrum-leveraged hinge, which reveals the skull’s contents.”
Kim Eric Lilot
Lost in Time
Watch/Bracelet. 18K gold, 14K gold, Rolex watch, iron, steel, tamahagane (Japanese metal for sword-making), Rubellite tourmaline, diamonds, urushi finish
3" x 3" x 1.5"
“This piece represents the culmination of a life-long desire to illustrate my fascination with human drama and frailty in the face of the ravages of time. The narrative is one of a writhing skeleton emerging from a dark void, the ashes of the past, caught in the striving for purpose. A major inspiration for the bracelet’s scheme was the dramatic emerging remains of the victims in Herculaneum from the Mount Vesuvius eruption of 79 AD.
"The discovery of the smallest Rolex watch movement (now out-of-production) determined the bracelet’s anatomical proportions. The next task was to find a source of low-carbon iron, ideal for its durability and jet-black patina. The search led me to a Japanese ironmonger, who provided an ingot derived from the Tsuba (hand guard) of a Samurai sword (Tamahagane.) After forging, shaping and refining the iron into the bracelet’s oval, I achieved the rustproof jet-black patina (urushi finish) by using Ohaguro, an ancient formula developed by Japanese artisans.
"I then attached the Victorian funeral-like hinge and clasp, fabricated from 18-karat yellow gold, to the iron with pyramid-shaped rivets. Composed of 22 parts, the clasp is of a unique design, featuring a white gold double-spring mechanism, activated by the turning of a high-domed cabochon Rubellite Tourmaline. I sculpted the skeleton out of white gold and fastened it to the iron with hidden rivets. Finally, I attached the skull to the iron with gold screws, enabling access to the watch movement for servicing. Applying pressure to the forehead and temples moves a fulcrum-leveraged hinge, which reveals the skull’s contents.”
Kim Eric Lilot
Lost in Time
Watch/Bracelet. 18K gold, 14K gold, Rolex watch, iron, steel, tamahagane (Japanese metal for sword-making), Rubellite tourmaline, diamonds, urushi finish
3" x 3" x 1.5"
“This piece represents the culmination of a life-long desire to illustrate my fascination with human drama and frailty in the face of the ravages of time. The narrative is one of a writhing skeleton emerging from a dark void, the ashes of the past, caught in the striving for purpose. A major inspiration for the bracelet’s scheme was the dramatic emerging remains of the victims in Herculaneum from the Mount Vesuvius eruption of 79 AD.
"The discovery of the smallest Rolex watch movement (now out-of-production) determined the bracelet’s anatomical proportions. The next task was to find a source of low-carbon iron, ideal for its durability and jet-black patina. The search led me to a Japanese ironmonger, who provided an ingot derived from the Tsuba (hand guard) of a Samurai sword (Tamahagane.) After forging, shaping and refining the iron into the bracelet’s oval, I achieved the rustproof jet-black patina (urushi finish) by using Ohaguro, an ancient formula developed by Japanese artisans.
"I then attached the Victorian funeral-like hinge and clasp, fabricated from 18-karat yellow gold, to the iron with pyramid-shaped rivets. Composed of 22 parts, the clasp is of a unique design, featuring a white gold double-spring mechanism, activated by the turning of a high-domed cabochon Rubellite Tourmaline. I sculpted the skeleton out of white gold and fastened it to the iron with hidden rivets. Finally, I attached the skull to the iron with gold screws, enabling access to the watch movement for servicing. Applying pressure to the forehead and temples moves a fulcrum-leveraged hinge, which reveals the skull’s contents.”
Kim Eric Lilot
Memento Mori Necklace
14K yellow gold, diamonds, Lithuanian cherry amber beads
18" long
Kim Eric Lilot
Gone To the Birds
Pendant necklace. 18K yellow gold, enameled silver, rubies
1” x 0.5” x 0.75”
Kim Eric Lilot
Dancing Fool
14K white gold, 24K yellow gold teeth, platinum frames with sapphire lenses, white onyx hat
Kim Eric Lilot
Gone to the Birds
Pendant necklace. Sterling silver, enamel, rubies
1” x 0.5” x 0.75”
Kim Eric Lilot
End of the Cabaret
Pendant. Sterling silver, rubies, amethyst beads, cultured pearl, steel chain
1" x 1.25" x .25", Chain: 20"
Kim Eric Lilot
Blinded by Love
Pendant. 14k white gold, platinum glasses, diamonds, 18k gold enameled rose, steel chain
.75” x .75” x .5”
Kim Eric Lilot
Santa Skull
Pendant Necklace. Sterling silver, enamel, cultured pearl, diamonds
Kim Eric Lilot
Pirate Skull
Pendant necklace. 18K yellow and 14K white gold, ruby cabochon, enamel
Kim Eric Lilot
Last Laugh
Enameled 18K yellow and 14K white gold, iamonds, silver, sterling silver chain
Kim Eric Lilot
King for a Day
Pendant necklace. Sterling silver, 14K yellow gold, diamonds, cultured pearls, steel chain
1" x .75" x .5", 16" chain
Kim Eric Lilot
Gone to the Birds
Pendant. Sterling silver, diamonds, enamel
1” x 0.5” x 0.75” Chain: 15.5”
Kim Eric Lilot
Gone to the Birds
Pendant. Sterling silver, diamonds, enamel
1” x 0.5” x 0.75” Chain: 15.5”
Kim Lilot
‘A(l)titude’ – Brooch
Baroque fresh water Pearl (origin: Japan), Druzy Agate, black diamond eyes, 18karat yellow and white gold, reticulated silver moon and hand-fired enamels.
Measuring 70 x 53mm. Photographs by Summer Anderson.
Kim Eric Lilot
Lost in Time
Watch/Bracelet. 18K gold, 14K gold, Rolex watch, iron, steel, tamahagane (Japanese metal for sword-making), Rubellite tourmaline, diamonds, urushi finish
Kim Eric Lilot
Lost in Time
Watch/Bracelet. 18K gold, 14K gold, Rolex watch, iron, steel, tamahagane (Japanese metal for sword-making), Rubellite tourmaline, diamonds, urushi finish
Kim Eric Lilot
Lost in Time
Watch/Bracelet. 18K gold, 14K gold, Rolex watch, iron, steel, tamahagane (Japanese metal for sword-making), Rubellite tourmaline, diamonds, urushi finish
Kim Eric Lilot
Lost in Time
Watch/Bracelet. 18K gold, 14K gold, Rolex watch, iron, steel, tamahagane (Japanese metal for sword-making), Rubellite tourmaline, diamonds, urushi finish
Kim Eric Lilot
Dancing Fool
14K white gold, 24K yellow gold teeth, platinum frames with sapphire lenses, white onyx hat
Kim Eric Lilot
End of the Cabaret
Pendant. Sterling silver, rubies, amethyst beads, cultured pearl, steel chain
Kim Eric Lilot
Blinded by Love
Pendant. 14k white gold, platinum glasses, diamonds, 18k gold enameled
rose, steel chain
Kim Eric Lilot
Pirate Skull
Pendant necklace. 18K yellow and 14K white gold, ruby cabochon, enamel
Kim Eric Lilot
Last Laugh
Enameled 18K yellow and 14K white gold, iamonds, silver, sterling silver chain
Kim Eric Lilot
King for a Day
Pendant necklace. Sterling silver, 14K yellow gold, diamonds, cultured pearls, steel chain
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Kim Lilot
'A(l)titude' - Brooch
Baroque fresh water Pearl (origin: Japan), Druzy Agate, black diamond eyes, 18karat yellow and white gold, reticulated silver moon and hand-fired enamels. Measuring 70 x 53mm. Photographs by Summer Anderson.
Kim Eric Lilot
Lost in Time
Watch/Bracelet. 18K gold, 14K gold, Rolex watch, iron, steel, tamahagane (Japanese metal for sword-making), Rubellite tourmaline, diamonds, urushi finish
3" x 3" x 1.5"
Kim Eric Lilot
Lost in Time
Watch/Bracelet. 18K gold, 14K gold, Rolex watch, iron, steel, tamahagane (Japanese metal for sword-making), Rubellite tourmaline, diamonds, urushi finish
3" x 3" x 1.5"
Kim Eric Lilot
Lost in Time
Watch/Bracelet. 18K gold, 14K gold, Rolex watch, iron, steel, tamahagane (Japanese metal for sword-making), Rubellite tourmaline, diamonds, urushi finish
3" x 3" x 1.5"
Kim Eric Lilot
Lost in Time
Watch/Bracelet. 18K gold, 14K gold, Rolex watch, iron, steel, tamahagane (Japanese metal for sword-making), Rubellite tourmaline, diamonds, urushi finish
3" x 3" x 1.5"
Kim Eric Lilot
Memento Mori Necklace
14K yellow gold, diamonds, Lithuanian cherry amber beads
18" long
Kim Eric Lilot
Gone To the Birds
Pendant necklace. 18K yellow gold, enameled silver, rubies
1” x 0.5” x 0.75”
Kim Eric Lilot
Dancing Fool
14K white gold, 24K yellow gold teeth, platinum frames with sapphire lenses, white onyx hat
Kim Eric Lilot
Gone to the Birds
Pendant necklace. Sterling silver, enamel, rubies
1” x 0.5” x 0.75”
Kim Eric Lilot
End of the Cabaret
Pendant. Sterling silver, rubies, amethyst beads, cultured pearl, steel chain
1" x 1.25" x .25", Chain: 20"
Kim Eric Lilot
Blinded by Love
Pendant. 14k white gold, platinum glasses, diamonds, 18k gold enameled rose, steel chain
.75” x .75” x .5”
Kim Eric Lilot
Santa Skull
Pendant Necklace. Sterling silver, enamel, cultured pearl, diamonds
Kim Eric Lilot
Pirate Skull
Pendant necklace. 18K yellow and 14K white gold, ruby cabochon, enamel
Kim Eric Lilot
Last Laugh
Enameled 18K yellow and 14K white gold, iamonds, silver, sterling silver chain
Kim Eric Lilot
King for a Day
Pendant necklace. Sterling silver, 14K yellow gold, diamonds, cultured pearls, steel chain
1" x .75" x .5", 16" chain
Kim Eric Lilot
Gone to the Birds
Pendant. Sterling silver, diamonds, enamel
1” x 0.5” x 0.75” Chain: 15.5”
Kim Eric Lilot
Gone to the Birds
Pendant. Sterling silver, diamonds, enamel
1” x 0.5” x 0.75” Chain: 15.5”
Kim Lilot
‘A(l)titude’ – Brooch
Baroque fresh water Pearl (origin: Japan), Druzy Agate, black diamond eyes, 18karat yellow and white gold, reticulated silver moon and hand-fired enamels.
Measuring 70 x 53mm. Photographs by Summer Anderson.
Kim Eric Lilot
Lost in Time
Watch/Bracelet. 18K gold, 14K gold, Rolex watch, iron, steel, tamahagane (Japanese metal for sword-making), Rubellite tourmaline, diamonds, urushi finish
Kim Eric Lilot
Lost in Time
Watch/Bracelet. 18K gold, 14K gold, Rolex watch, iron, steel, tamahagane (Japanese metal for sword-making), Rubellite tourmaline, diamonds, urushi finish
Kim Eric Lilot
Lost in Time
Watch/Bracelet. 18K gold, 14K gold, Rolex watch, iron, steel, tamahagane (Japanese metal for sword-making), Rubellite tourmaline, diamonds, urushi finish
Kim Eric Lilot
Lost in Time
Watch/Bracelet. 18K gold, 14K gold, Rolex watch, iron, steel, tamahagane (Japanese metal for sword-making), Rubellite tourmaline, diamonds, urushi finish
Kim Eric Lilot
Dancing Fool
14K white gold, 24K yellow gold teeth, platinum frames with sapphire lenses, white onyx hat
Kim Eric Lilot
End of the Cabaret
Pendant. Sterling silver, rubies, amethyst beads, cultured pearl, steel chain
Kim Eric Lilot
Blinded by Love
Pendant. 14k white gold, platinum glasses, diamonds, 18k gold enameled
rose, steel chain
Kim Eric Lilot
Pirate Skull
Pendant necklace. 18K yellow and 14K white gold, ruby cabochon, enamel
Kim Eric Lilot
Last Laugh
Enameled 18K yellow and 14K white gold, iamonds, silver, sterling silver chain
Kim Eric Lilot
King for a Day
Pendant necklace. Sterling silver, 14K yellow gold, diamonds, cultured pearls, steel chain
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Kim Lilot works with images of the macabre to create jewelry that deals with issues of mortality and extinction via beautiful gemstones and intricate metalwork. Despite its dark themes, his work often takes a lighthearted approach to the subject matter.
Selected Collections
- Carnegie Museum, Pittsburg, PA
- Oakland Museum of Art, Oakland, CA
- Renwick Gallery, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Washington DC
- Numerous private collections throughout the United States and internationally