about Cathérine

Cathérine Hostekint is an artist and goldsmith with a background in art history.
Her work explores ancient cultures, literature and archeology, and merges it with contemporary design. Cathérine uses the power of memory and shared history in today’s context.

After earning a Master in art history in Ghent, Cathérine mastered her passion for craftsmanship by learning the craft of goldsmithing, stonesetting and lost wax modeling. Later she relocated to Florence and after Rome, where she learned the craft of marble mosaics.

sculptural jewellery and wearable art

In her practice, Cathérine doesn’t only take inspiration from ancient cultures, she also uses the ancient technique of the lost wax procedure. This technique results in textural and sculptural jewellery objects which she sometimes adorns with precious or rare gemstones.

Cathérine’s jewellery is dreamy, poetic and the narratives are always important: as an artist she weaves her emotions, memories and inspirations into each piece. What sets her work apart is that every stage of the process - from the initial design to the handcrafting and finishing - is carried out by the artist herself, reflecting an unwavering commitment to craftsmanship, authenticity, and quality.

Each Hostekint jewel is designed with the intention of creating a timeless piece that can be passed down through generations. Hostekint jewels are made with recycled and responsibly sourced sterling silver and gold. Semi and precious gemstones are responsibly sourced as well.

Cathérine aspires to create timeless and iconic pieces, like miniature works of art, for the aesthetic, thoughtful and independent wearer.

marble mosaics

Cathérine’s mosaics are primarily inspired by the human body and by the erotic artefacts discovered during the excavations of Pompeii and Herculaneum. Fascinated by how sensual and erotic imagery formed an an integral part of private homes and baths in the ancient world, she creates mosaics that focus on intimate details of the human body. Her mosaics celebrate sensuality through suggestion, intimacy and beauty.

championing craft in an age of automation

As AI and algorithms take over, true craftmanship and authicity become the ultimate differentiator. Handcrafting jewellery and mosaics is for Cathèrine a way to slow down and make a deeper connection with things and people. Craft carries knowledge, material intelligence and identity that can not been replaced by machines.

Both her jewellery and mosaics are made with intention: the process requires Cathèrine’s full focus and she can do no other than putting her feelings into these objects. And so these imperfect objects get a soul. Cathérine really believes that her marble mosaics bring not only beauty, but also warmth, and more wellbeing into spaces. Just as her handcrafted jewellery make a connection with the wearer and tell a story to the viewer.