Philippe Tournaire Designs Mireille Delmas Marty Academician Sword

 
 

Mireille Delmas-Marty, member of the Academy of Moral and Political Sciences, received on May 14th at 5pm a sword as part of the solemn ceremony of her joining L’Académie (the sword is the only part of the Academician’s very elaborate uniform which reflects his or her personality and accomplishments). The weapon, designed by French jeweller Philippe Tournaire, is kept in Judge of Forez’s residence, who is a Renaissance humanist lawyer.

 
 
A quatrain from Maurice Sceve’s Délie is engraved on the hilt. Two Greek words, the literal translation for “the light of the flame”, are inscribed on the flame-shaped blade. At the end of the sword is a drawing based on Botticelli’s work: Dante’s Paradiso.
Juridical humanism is full of cultural diversity and common values. These particular qualities are symbolized by three precious stones: the adamantine crystal, which is an emblem of hardness and clarity; the Chinese jade, that suggests “dispelling clouds”; and a sphere combining ruby and sapphire that represents the hope for a return to justice (a reference to a major piece of French literature: L’Astrée). The very significant dates in Mrs. Delmas-Marty’s professional life are written in Roman numeral, the ones representing her personal life are written in Arabic numeral.
Click on this link to listen to Philippe Tournaire’s interview: Philippe Tournaire’s Interview