In a world that moves ever faster, true craftsmanship invites us to pause. The THEN & NOW collection by Rebecca Rau Jewels offers just that, a dialogue between antiquity and the present. Each jewel is a living artifact, where centuries-old relics, once resting behind museum glass, are transformed into contemporary works of art designed to be worn and loved.
Rebecca Rau, a fourth-generation dealer from M.S. Rau, brings a curator’s eye and a designer’s imagination to every piece. The result is a collection that bridges civilizations, weaving fragments of the ancient world into timeless adornments.
From Collector to Creator
Rebecca Rau, fourth-generation antiquaire and creator of THEN & NOW. Source.
For Rebecca Rau, jewelry has always been about storytelling. Raised among treasures of antiquity at the family’s legendary gallery, she developed an early fascination with the narratives that linger in rare objects. Yet she saw an opportunity to move these stories beyond vitrines, onto the human body, where history could be carried forward.
Her concept for THEN & NOW was born from the desire to honor ancient craftsmanship while giving it new life through modern design. Each piece begins with a genuine artifact, whether a Byzantine pendant, a medieval harness plaque, or a fragment of ancient stone, selected for both aesthetic beauty and symbolic meaning.
Her Curatorial Process Unearths Beauty Across Millennia
The journey of a THEN & NOW jewel begins long before the goldsmith’s bench. Rebecca sources her artifacts through expert channels in the art and antiquities world, ensuring every fragment is authentic, ethically acquired and historically verified. Provenance matters as much as design; every artifact tells its own story. Her eye for gemstones draws her to unique sapphire colors, black opals, shimmering spinels, garnets and diamonds, all itching to be incorporated into her designs.
Once acquired, the transformation begins. Rebecca studies the geometry, wear, and patina of each relic, envisioning how it might be harmonized with contemporary materials. It’s a process that demands restraint as much as creativity, balancing reverence for the past with the boldness of modern artistry.
A Dialogue is Designed
The design of each piece is guided by one principle: the artifact must remain the heart of the composition. Gold, gemstones, and pearls are chosen not to overshadow, but to illuminate their essence.
| Rebecca Rau Protectrice Necklace. Pendant 13th-Century. Source. |
For instance:
- The Scrolling Floret Necklace frames a Byzantine gold filigree pendant (ca. 700–900 AD) with deep garnet cabochons, echoing its ancient latticework.
- The Protectrice Necklace reimagines a 13th-century Spanish gilt-bronze harness element, pairing it with an 11.68-carat no-heat pink tourmaline and luminous Tahitian pearls.
- In Reimagined Jasper, an ancient carved gemstone is re-set within a sleek contemporary silhouette, fusing classical symbolism with architectural minimalism.
Each jewel thus becomes a conversation between eras—where the fingerprints of ancient artisans meet the precision of modern craftsmanship.
Leaning Into the Art of Restoration
Unlike replicas or reproductions, the relics in THEN & NOW are irreplaceable. Rebecca works closely with master jewelers who specialize in conservation-minded techniques, ensuring that every artifact is preserved rather than altered. Metals are stabilized, not refinished; gemstones are mounted in a way that safeguards their structure.
This meticulous process honors the spirit of the original makers. It transforms jewelry design into a form of stewardship, preserving the past by integrating it into living art.
Storytelling the Symbolism: Quick Guide
What makes an object created two thousand years ago still resonate today? The answer lies in universal symbols: motifs of protection, devotion and beauty that transcend cultures.
- Crosses and rosettes represented faith and eternity in Byzantine art.
- Harness plaques symbolized loyalty, status and the sacred bond of marriage in medieval Europe.
- Colored glass and faience carried spiritual connotations in ancient Egypt and Rome, believed to connect the wearer to the divine.
By recontextualizing these elements, Rebecca allows modern wearers to participate in this lineage. Each jewel becomes a talisman, an heirloom of both history and personal meaning.
Actively Styling Today’s Modern Muse
One might imagine that jewelry with such deep historical roots belongs only in formal collections. Yet the THEN & NOW pieces are designed to be worn, not hidden. Their aesthetic, refined yet sculptural, translates effortlessly from gallery to everyday elegance. In this way, the jewels serve as bridges…not just between centuries, but between art and life.
| Rebecca Rau Cross of the Byzantine Necklace. High-karat gold Byzantine Cross, circa 700–1000 CE. Source. |
For collectors and stylists alike:
- Pair the Cross of the Byzantine Necklace with a minimalist black dress to highlight its intricate goldwork.
- Layer the Glowing Glass Necklace, crafted around luminous Roman glass, with modern chains for a contemporary contrast.
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Combine statement pieces with sleek tailoring to juxtapose antiquity with modernity.
| Rebecca Rau Glowing Glass Necklace. 14th-century Gothic-style Medieval pendant. Source. |
Authenticity, and the Value of Provenance
In a market flooded with mass-produced luxury, Rebecca’s approach offers something rare: transparency and authenticity. Every artifact is accompanied by documentation outlining its age, region and cultural significance. This commitment to provenance not only elevates the jewel’s value but reinforces the integrity of responsible collecting. Moreover, by giving these artifacts new life, THEN & NOW champions sustainability in its purest form, repurposing rather than reproducing, celebrating what already exists instead of extracting anew.
Reframing Jewelry and Its Relationship to Time
Rebecca Rau Reimagined Jasper. 1st–2nd Century CE hand-cut brown jasper centerpiece. Source.
Ultimately, THEN & NOW is more than a jewelry collection; it’s a meditation on time. Each piece is a tangible reminder that beauty endures, that artistry connects generations, and that history can be both preserved and reborn. As Rebecca Rau herself explains, “These pieces have already lived extraordinary lives. My role is simply to honor them…to let their stories continue.” In wearing them, we become part of that story. The pulse of the present meets the echo of the past, and the result is something eternal.
Rebecca Rau’s THEN & NOW collection invites collectors, connoisseurs and dreamers alike to experience history not as something distant, but as something we can touch, adorn, and carry.
To explore the full collection, visit Rebecca Rau Jewels or experience it in person here at M.S. Rau, New Orleans, where heritage meets modern elegance.
