About
MDA
MDA-Maison de l’Argile, meaning “House of Clay,” is an independent jewelry brand dedicated to reinterpreting the beauty of time through the lens of contemporary aesthetics.
Our creations are rooted in three essential materials:
- Blue-and-white porcelain
Some of our pieces are crafted from antique blue-and-white porcelain shards dating back to the Ming and Qing dynasties. Witnesses to centuries of history, these fragments evoke an era of unparalleled artistry. Sourced from private collections and passionate antiquing, these shards carry a unique patina—fine crackle lines and a soft, timeworn cobalt blue that only time can bestow.
To transform them into jewelry, we meticulously select each fragment for its poetic motif and gentle curvature. This ensures both visual harmony and comfortable daily wear, preventing any damage during the delicate process of hand-setting each piece in sterling silver.
Other porcelain works are entirely hand-painted and kiln-fired in our studio. By honoring traditional techniques, we give each piece a contemporary, individual soul.
- Freshwater pearls
With a gentle, luminous sheen, they embody a quiet beauty shaped by the passage of time.
- Rhodium-plated 925 sterling silver
Cool and resilient, rhodium-plated 925 sterling silver provides a striking, modern contrast to the softness of the porcelain and pearls. The rhodium finish enhances its shine and durability, ensuring each piece remains a refined and elegant staple in your daily life.
All three materials are rooted in nature: porcelain originates from kaolin clay, pearls are born of water and time, and silver is distilled from the earth’s essence.
As our philosophy states:
from dirt to art — from the earth it begins, to beauty it returns.