Eternal Spring
$26,000.00
Eastern repousse neckpiece of sterling silver with wax pigment, inspired by a bouquet of spring tulips
The leaves articulate to create a gentle curve around the neck. The center section was hammered from one single sheet and took over 120 hours of refined hand hammering to achieve the detail of the overlapping petals and leaves.
Permanent, pigmented wax in the recessed areas and finely chased lines adds a subtle hint of color. The result is durable and imminently wearable. Because of the tensile strength of the Eastern repousse technique, the necklace is surprising lightweight and comfortable.
7 x 6.5 x 1.5 in
photography: Pat Vasquez-Cunningham
Eternal Spring came about because my son had bought me a large bunch of deep purple tulips for the studio. I was in the throws of finishing Ribbon Lace, Storms of Juno, and several other pieces, but every time I looked at those tulips, I’d get a flash of inspiration until one day, I dropped what I was doing and took over 20 photos of the bunched up flowers in my hand. The photos became the basis for the necklace’s design.
The leaves articulate to create a gentle curve around the neck. The center section is one sheet of sterling hammered in Eastern repousse relief. Even though I started puffing out the general triangle shape with my hydraulic press, it took over 120 hours of refined hand hammering to achieve the detail of the overlapping petals and leaves on the center section alone.
For the subtle color, I applied pigmented wax to the recessed areas and finely chased lines. The result is durable and imminently wearable. Because I use 24 gauge (.5mm) sheet for most of my Eastern repousse work, the necklace is surprising lightweight and comfortable.
