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micromosaic - suite of jewellery

Description
A gold and micromosaic jewellery set consisting of a necklace, bangle, brooch and ring, the mosaics with a variety of subjects including a mythological figure on the bracelet, a cherub on the brooch and an archaic head on the ring. The woven chain has diverse-shaped pendants matching on each side, whose mosaics, starting at the hook clasp, depict a cherub, doves of peace, two crosses, another cherub, and the Christian chi-rho motif. The central pendant has an amorino with a bow and arrow. All are embellished with further motifs including astral symbols; an eye in a triangle, symbol of the Trinity; and bunches of grapes, a Bacchanalian reference.

Commentary
This suite of jewellery in the archaeological style was inspired by the innovative firm, Castellani, a dynasty of jewellers who created a revival in jewellery styles and techniques from past cultures, including those of Italy, Greece, Russia and Egypt. The shaped pendants are attached to the chain in the same manner as a Castellani necklace in the Roman taste. Various Christian symbols such as the chi-rho and the dove, which are found on Castellani jewellery, as well as the translucent glass tesserae, are a reference to early Christian mosaics of the same material. The bunches of grapes are Bacchanalian references, and the head and figure on the ring and bracelet derive from Greek and Roman mythology.

Glossaries

micromosaic - made from thousands of tiny coloured enamel rods, painstakingly assembled and secured with a slow drying adhesive
amorino - an infant cupid
Bacchanalian - after Bacchus, the Greek god of wine

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