LASVIT installs flying dragon sculpture within the imperial palace saipan

glassmaking company LASVIT has installed a crystal gem-studded sculpture featuring two flying dragons within a casino resort in saipan. spanning over 60 meters (200 feet) and weighing 40 metric tons (44 US tons), the project is described as ‘the largest piece of jewellery ever made’. 13,000 stainless steel scales fitted with crystals were made to cover the dragon’s body, with more than 2.5 million swarovski crystals used to decorate the scales. each crystal is illuminated and can change color, meaning that the dragon can turn from green to red almost instantly.

all images courtesy of LASVIT

forming part of DSAA architects’ overall design concept for the venue, LASVIT created the dragons out of stainless steel, gold, and crystals. two dragons fighting over a flaming pearl is a symbol deeply rooted in chinese mythology. the design team materialized this in the form of a jewel piece installed within the lobby of the imperial palace saipan. the work also aims to be listed in the guinness world records as the largest piece of jewellery ever made.

the project brings together two traditional types of crafts — glassmaking and metalworking. ‘in this project, we approached the limits of what is both technically and physically possible,’ explains leon jakimič, LASVIT’s founder and president. ‘master glassmakers and metalsmiths brought the know-how of hundreds of years of craft tradition while their work was backed by a high-tech design process throughout.’

as saipan — an island in the western pacific ocean — lies within an active seismic zone, the main bearing part of the dragon is made of a stainless-steel truss structure which forms the complete shape and winds throughout the dragon’s body. provided with RGBW LED chips, the crystals function as a giant screen which follows the shape of the dragon’s body.

‘light refracts into the rainbow effects typical for cut crystal and is crucial to the dragons’ visual appeal. their entire bodies are dynamically-lit by concealed RGBW LED chips that produce a warm natural glow,’ says táňa dvořáková, who designed the installation together with adam kohout and interior designers steelman partners, who created the overall design concept for the casino.