The uber-talented Beirut-based jewelry designer Selim Mouzannar, who is inspired by period styles from the Ottoman Empire, Victorian times and the mid-twentieth century, has launched a thoughtful and meaningful curation of rare antique/vintage jewelry online. The antique and vintage collection dates back to all the periods he is passionate about and includes signed pieces by Boivin and Bulgari, early gilded pocket watches, and all categories of jewelry.

The e-commerce launch feels like a natural progression for Mouzannar, who has also been building his own personal antique/vintage collection even before he launched his eponymous collection in 1997.

Mouzannar grew up visiting his grandfather’s jewelry shop in the Souk, where he began to understand and develop an affinity for jewelry, particularly the styles of his culture, from an early age. This led him to buy and appraise vintage jewelry in Beirut and build a substantial collection of both antique/vintage pieces as well as his contemporary line of jewels that recall the meaningful motifs of his heritage, the use of enamel as an integral part of his designs and the influence of Moorish architecture in miniature versions of floral motifs for earrings and pendants. He is also well-traveled and educated in the mines of Asia, yet he never strays far from his homeland for the root of his designs.

The Souk in Beirut

In 2016, near his flagship contemporary jewelry shop, he opened a store dedicated exclusively to antique/vintage jewelry and accessories. During the pandemic, he closed the brick-and-mortar store and now offers these rare authentic pieces online.

Below, Mouzannar talks about his online shop, some of his favorite pieces and more…

Why did you decide to launch your vintage jewelry online at this particular time?

“My career as a jewelry designer all started due to my connection with jewelry of the past. And, as the saying goes, there is no time like the present to start something you are truly passionate about.”.

Vintage Rose Cut Diamond Earrings, circa 1930. made in Istanbul during this time period.

How often will you introduce additional antique/vintage offerings on the e-commerce site?

“We will drop new selections on the vintage E-shop every month.”

Antique watch pendant in yellow gold, circa 1920s

What are some of your favorite vintage pieces available to shop online, and why?

“My favorites are always changing. The pieces I particularly like at this time are the Bulgari black mother-of-pearl necklace set with diamonds from the 1980s, a pair of wonderful Van Cleef and Arpels diamond earrings from 1972 and a ring set with diamonds and an impressive natural fire opal mounted in platinum from an unknown artisan.”

Vintage Bulgari necklace in yellow gold set with black mother of pearl and diamonds, circa 1980.

Your Beirut antique/vintage store offered a selection of authentic works from the Ottoman Empire to Bulgari designs of the mid to later twentieth-century designs. Are these pieces also included in the e-commerce launch?

Vintage Van Cleef & Arpels earrings in yellow gold set with diamonds, circa 1972

“We do have some of the Bulgari pieces. But we also have acquired some spectacular jewels for our inventory. When I see compelling pieces in design and/or with a special provenance, I snap them up. The estate jewelry platform is always in perpetual movement; therefore, the site will reflect this , and we will continue to present pieces from a range of time periods.”

Vintage white diamond And cultured pearl Bracelet, circa 1950s

Can you discuss the deep connection between heirloom jewelry and Lebanese culture? Did your family collect antique/vintage jewelry as well?

Vintage Victorian revival yellow gold, diamond and enamel Ring, circa 1970s

“Jewelry history is anchored in all cultures and civilizations. Lebanon has lived in the heart of many civilizations from antiquity, from the Arameans, Romans, Greeks and Byzantines to the Ottomans. More recently, the French and other European cultures. My family has been surrounded by and immersed in antique/vintage jewelry for more than 150 years and is still collecting it today. This has always influenced and is part of my personal and my brand’s DNA and my continuing education of old-world techniques, which all figure into my buying for the online shop and a jumping-off point for my modern designs.”