Hans-Leo Peters is a goldsmith specialising in gold and metal jewellery and large sculptures. He has created gold jewellery all his working life, studying under the masters in his apprenticeship in Germany and winning national and international awards. These days he resides in Whitianga having moved to New Zealand with his wife and children many years ago.
“When I was growing up, The Little Prince was the most popular story book in Germany,” says Hans. “My children loved it and it is still a popular and greatly loved story.” Hans tells how his love of incorporating the Little Prince into his jewellery began.
Few books have been as universally cherished by children and adults alike as The Little Prince. First written by Saint Antoine de Exupery in 1943 with its first English translation by Katherine Woods some years later, it has travelled all over the world for generations of children.
The Little Prince follows a young prince who travels from planet to planet, meeting various inhabitants who each offer him insightful and philosophical life lessons.
It begins with a pilot stranded in the desert (Australian) and awakes one morning to see the most extraordinary little boy standing before him. “Please,” asks the stranger, “draw me a sheep.”
The pilot realises that when life’s events are too difficult to understand, there is no choice but to succumb to their mysteries. He pulls out a pencil and paper, and thus begins this wise and enchanting fable that, in teaching the secret of what is really important in life, has changed the world forever for its readers. It’s a timeless tale that captivates both children and adults with its profound simplicity and charm.
“Every year I would contribute to a city wide exhibition,” says Hans. “I would create for my exhibition five pieces. In 1985, I decided that the Little Prince was to be my first piece. I created something similar to what is presented in The Informer now” Heart of the Little Prince 2026”.
“It created a lot of interest and it has remained close to my heart. I have done similar exhibitions in New Zealand under the name, Golden Art”.
Hans has the rights to create jewellery from the Little Prince for his life time which he received from the sister of Saint Antoine de Exupery.
Can you make The Little Prince into a heart shape?
“I got this request in the mail from a business woman and poet from Germany. Since then other requests have come.”
Hans found that the story of The Little Prince jewellery had been published in a daily newspaper in Germany. This had brought requests for The Little Prince in different jewellery forms. Hans is now offering these to the New Zealand community.
As well as pendants of The Little Prince, Hans designs rings and brooches, working with both gold and silver and other precious stones on request. Hans uses a technique which he invented – Golden Positive Technique. “This is a difficult process and it takes many tries and a long time to get the piece to be just right,” says Hans.
The brooch pictured is decorated with wing pearls. These pieces are most unusual – gold and silver – silver is used to create the colour.
Something very beautiful and different
As a goldsmith, Hans creates from a photograph of a loved one (their face-front or side shot) and with the help of AI, a miniature scaled picture of the person. (A front facing image with both eyes is best for the piece of jewellery.)
Then he creates a raised piece of jewellery using gold and/or silver. The final shape can be a heart, oval or a free shape – 2-3mm in height above the base. Other precious stones can be added. Hans is a goldsmith artist and will create what is desired.
Enquire about any jewellery to Hans-Leo Peters gold metal artist. Phone 07 866 5806, Email: art@golden-art.com, www.golden-art.com and www.sky-sculpture.com
