It is in fact inspired by his role in Oppenheimer and is a bespoke Sauvereign 18 karat gold gem brooch, designed by Betrand Mak, founder and chief creator of the Hong Kong-based makers.
The solid yellow gold brooch featured a total of eight concentric trapeziums.
This unique shape paid homage to the inside of J. Robert Oppenheimer’s historic invention, namely the atomic bomb.
Cillian Murphy with his wife Yvonne McGuinness and two sons, Malachy and Aran, on the red carpet at the Oscars. Photo: Michael Buckner
The surface of each panel was then precisely engraved with a sunburst guilloché to give off the effect that light rays were coming out straight from the core.
Asked by the Irish Independent how much this particular piece of jewellery cost, a spokesperson replied: “This is a bespoke one of one piece, therefore it’s price is on request.”
Its makers maintain the brooch “pays homage to the exceptional ability of the world-changing physicist behind the Manhattan Project”.
They added: “Made in 18K solid yellow gold, the HS14 is composed of eight concentric trapeziums – the shape of interior components in Oppenheimer’s history altering invention (the atomic bomb).”
The brooch was meticulously hand-cut, hand-finished, and assembled by legendary grandmaster Kari Voutilainen in Val-de-Travers, Switzerland, where the gem presented a novel and unexpected challenge for the Finnish independent watchmaker.
“Embellished with sunburst guilloché, a highly precise engraving technique signature to Voutilainen, the surface of each trapezium reveals intricate details that create an array of alluring reflections,” explained an insider.
“As if light rays are emitting from the core, the motif is reminiscent of both the perpetuity of the sun and the blinding flash of beauty right before the arrival of darkness.”
Sauvereign’s Hong Kong-born boss Betrant Mak is thrilled the Cork actor wore his firm’s creation.
“Enigmatic, composed, and reverberating – these were the words in mind when I envisioned a bespoke object for Cillian Murphy and for this particular occasion,” explains Mr Mak.
“These characteristics not only refer to the respected actor, but I believe are applicable to the complex history as well as character that he brings to life in his performance.”
The creation came about by chance.
“Long story short, I had the good fortune of meeting Murphy’s progressive and forward-thinking stylist Rose Forde in London December last,” recalls Mr Mak.
“Over lunch, she casually mused that she might be looking for a pin for Murphy, and asked if I would work on a design. It was never intended for the Oscars, and I would have been content if he were to wear it on his dressing gown.”
With a luminescence that brings to mind the 24K gold in which his Oscar statuette award is plated, the firm maintain they are honoured as the first brooch that the renowned actor has ever chosen to wear at a major industry event.
Sauvereign was founded in 2020 is an artist-founded house born in Hong Kong creating precious artisanal art objects including footwear, leather goods, jewellery, home décor, and fine art.
Mr Mak was born into a medical family with an interest in arts, and has been acquainted with art and culture from an early age, starting with music.
He later became a craftsman, specialising in metal creations, especially involving gold.
Besides his Oscars suit, Versace also made the actor’s custom made patent leather Chelsea boots he wore on the night – which the brand named “the Dublin boot” (while born in Cork, Mr Murphy and his family have lived in Monkstown, Co Dublin since 2015).
Over the past few months the 47-year-old has been cutting a trailblaze in fashion, wearing a Victorian playboy style Saint Laurent by Anthony Vaccarello outfit at the Golden Globes, head to toe Zenga at the BAFTA’s and a pin striped Saint Laurent creation at the Screen Actors Guild Awards.
At last year’s Oscars Colin Farrell chose to patriotically wear an Irish tricolour flag on one of his suit’s lapels, when he was nominated for Best Actor for his role in The Banshees of Inisherin.
Lately though brooches have become in vogue with leading male stars, from Jeremy Allen White’s very rare Tiffany & Co piece to Barry Keoghan’s vintage antler grail.
Mr Murphy is due back home this week, with insiders tipping him and his wife and two teenage sons to get a direct flight home to Dublin on An Aer Lingus flight.
The actor attended the Governor’s Ball in the Ray Dolby Theatre on Sunday night after his win, and later hung out with members of the Oppenheimer crew, including director Christopher Nolan and actor Robert Downey junior, at the Universal party in Soho House.
