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Au Art ot
The Sublime House of Mueller by John Z achar y
It’s impossible to remain unmoved by the heavenly work of Vivian Mueller – conceptual artist, spiritualist, jeweller, silversmith and gunsmith. How appropriate then that the artist’s company – the House of Mueller Murgenthal – also operates under the name Sublime. For over 30 years, Vivian Mueller has been producing objet d’art that combine outstanding creative design with legendary Swiss detail and precision. Based in the picturesque Murgenthal region of Switzerland, Mueller is one of the world’s leading craftsmen specialising in silver and gold. Working discretely with leading suppliers of fine jewellery and bespoke artwork, he has undertaken commissions for celebrities and heads of state across the globe. He has also created pieces for numerous royal families – from the oldest and best known European royal houses to those residing in the Arab world, the Far East and Borneo. Indeed, the palace in Brunei displays over 400 pieces handcrafted by Mueller and his team. Mueller’s portfolio is vast and ever growing. Among its finer pieces are the elegant ‘Triumph of Love’, the ‘Horn of Plenty’, a multi-tiered perfume tray shaped like a palace, a lucky elephant, a carousel of horses containing a music box and a floral bouquet adorned with precious stones, as well as swords and firearms. The artist is particularly famous for his intricately sculpted weaponry.
Opposite page: bouquet from top: sword, horn of plenty, the royal egg
In addition to his original creations, Mueller engraves and embellishes existing weapons. Avid collectors of arms and armour – of which there are many on Mueller’s client list – appreciate the high level of skill required to deliver the outstanding results that are synonymous with the Sublime brand. Most of Mueller’s pieces are bought as gifts, with each commission undertaken to exacting specifications. The artist takes great pride in the fact that clients return time and again. S
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