ARCARA STORY

Arcara /ar-KAH-rah/ noun — a bridge between East and West, ancient and modern;

Where forgotten histories become rarefied heirlooms.

THINGS OF BEAUTY

This is a story of dualities, of two worlds merging into one.

Arcara is named after the ancient word for arca — in Latin, it’s the treasure chest that held ancient relics, and in Malay or Sanskrit, the divine figures carved in temple stone. These dual meanings illuminate our process.

Weaving together fragments of folklore, we transform relics and stories into contemporary heirlooms. It’s a revival of symbols time had nearly forgotten, where each piece is tied to memory and shadowed in myth.

Designed in Paris, our practice honours tradition while embracing the innovations of today. Objects are cast in wax using an ancient technique that dates back to antiquity. Through the precision of lab-grown diamonds and responsible materials, we design pieces that honour the timeless wisdom of ages past and the conscience of our era.

A HISTORY OF CRAFTSMANSHIP

Arcara was founded by Edmund Ooi, whose lineage can be traced back to goldsmiths from a bygone era.

During the late 19th century, his Peranakan ancestors transformed raw bullion and foreign coins into exquisite pieces of jewellery that merged both Peranakan and Siamese influences. Their precious designs traversed the historic trade routes of Southeast Asia and beyond.

This mastery of gold shapes Edmund’s approach to jewellery today. After working in Parisian fashion houses for over a decade, he continues the family tradition of cultural translation, drawing arcane symbols and giving them new life.