Sara Bran

Jewellery maker

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The golden touch

Sara grew up in various countries in Africa
It takes her up to 600 hours to create one piece
She has collaborated with brands including Piaget and Guerlain

Sara Bran is a self-taught goldsmith who creates fine jewellery and decorative items with a lace-like effect. Her bespoke, unique pieces are inspired by poetry and have exceptional finesse and delicacy. From a very young age, Sara knew she wanted to work with her hands. She began her studies in history of art before moving into the fine arts. A career in painting, drawing, modelling and photography followed, before her attention moved to stone sculpture and in turn to jewellery, and finally to the signature pieces that she makes today.

Interview

Did growing up in Africa influence your work?
The beauty of nature, movement and light influenced me. I grew up spending a lot of time outside in the wild – my favourite place to be. My strong sense of observation enables me to spot complex patterns and structures, which, along with colours and shapes, inspires my work.
What drew you to creating this gold 'lace'?
I was drawn to the finesse and details in lace as well as the process of creation and design, the precision, meticulousness and patience it takes. Above all, I enjoy the research and innovation, the technical and artistic challenges that come with the territory.
Which specific skills do you master?
I specialise in manual cutting with a boc-wire saw and in carving. I am passionate about innovation and I build complex objects by pushing technical limits and innovating. My work is very precise, very refined and has a marked and strong identity.
How do tradition and innovation combine in your work?
Tools are our allies to make creations. I work with traditional tools because they are more precise. My creations are innovative because I am doing things that are said to be impossible, through experimentation and research, pushing the limits of the material.

Sara Bran is a master artisan: she began her career in 2005 and she started teaching in 2008