Blog Task: Week 3

Artist: Gina Matchett
Pāua and silver

The symbol used is a tick which is very iconic as it is the logo for a very famous company nike. The artist has changed it up by embedding paua into it which is used in a lot of maori designed jewellery. Paua can only be found on the coasts of new zealand and they can have many meanings like strength or they are believed to bring sensitivity, harmony, and connectivity in relationships. This broach is very clean and i think it shows something traditional mixed with something modern in the way it has been designed. 

Blog Task week 4

Roy Mason - Small Fastwater

6.55mm Wide

9 carat pink gold

You can tell it has a Maori design incorporated into the ring as it reflects Maori imagery as it represents waves churning and has a koru design combined into it which symbolises new life. I really like this ring design i think it looks simple but very effective.

Roy Mason - Big Sandform

9 carrot white alloy

This ring has a lot of detail in it because the jeweller made the surface of the ring rough looking to represent sand. I dont think it has any link to make it recognizable to make it come from nz but i really do love the detail. I think its quite different and the curve the ring has is quite unique as well. 

Blog Task: Week 5

Jane Dodd

'Fleeced!' brooch 

18ct gold, lignum vitae

This artist has made a brooch from gold and wood. I think she did this by carving the wood shaping it into a tree which connects to a piece of gold thats been carved to look like roots. Intwining the two pieces of material as one. I do like this piece i think its quite unique and has a bit of character but personally I wouldn't wear it I think its a bit too old fashion.

Cobra, 2007

Sterling silver, Ebony, Black Diamond

Jane Dodd has made a different kind of snake design using sterling silver as the head of the cobra but changing it up as it goes onto the ebony piece of wood making it look quite abstract and different. I think she used the same techniques to create this piece as the first one but put a bit more detail into it with the eyes and tongue on the snake. 

Blog Task: Week 2

Laurel Wreath 800 B.C

Greece is a city that used to be run on power and wealth. They prided themselves on honour and glory. These Laurel wreaths were worn to represent fame and victory. The wreath is an olive branch which was a very significant symbol to the Greeks. I believe they wore it to show that they have high authority and they're powerful people.

Blog Task: Week 1

3000 B.C

Made from copper, silver or gold

They can be quite large or small

Amulets were incorporated into Egyptian jewelry or worn as independent pieces. Amulets are charms or talismans believed to either protect the wearer or infuse him with power. Egyptian amulets were carved into various forms and shapes, such as animals, humans, gods and symbols. The amulets were equally important protectors of the living as they were armor of the dead. Specific amulets were made for the afterlife, as funerary jewelry was customary in ancient Egypt. I think they made these amulets because it makes the wearer feel more safe as it has a lot of meaning. It's like a pounamu to a Maori.