Dreaming Of Moonlight
A side project of mine started with yet another wouldn't it be cool... moment. It grew from my fascination with clear–cut yet delicate works of Japanese metalsmiths and silversmiths, as well as the traditional woodblock printing art of ukiyo-e. One of the aspects of their works that mesmerizes me is the amount of variation of colors, surfaces, and textures in each piece, as seen, for example, in exquisite tsubas of samurai swords. I wanted to master that level of control and precision while maintaining the human touch. Another source of inspiration for me was the never–ending evolution of technology, driven by the curiosity and perseverance of the brightest of minds. For instance, the Moon surface of the pendants represents the actual relief of the Earth's satellite, acquired by NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter.
Crescent Moon Pendant
Dark patinated silver Moon surface is beautifully balanced by the hand–cut milky–white mother of pearl inlay, underlined by a high polish of the outer frame of the pendant. A substantial amount of time and skill is required to make the edges between the two materials almost disappear as if the sunlight itself highlights the edge of the Moon.
Dark Moon Pendant
A variation on the Crescent Moon Pendant, with a richly colored Japanese Rokushō patina on the Moon surface, and charcoal grey mother of pearl inlay featuring vibrant iridescent highlights.
Fuji from Tago Bay
The design of this piece was inspired by the ukiyo-e painting of the same name by an important Japanese artist Tsuchiya Koitsu. Japanese patina at the foot of the Mount Fuji gradually fades to the top, revealing its snowy summit. The sunrise sky is done using hand–applied English transparent hot enamel.
Snow Pavé Ginkgo Leaf
A prominent motif in Asian art throughout the centuries, the Ginkgo Leaf is a symbol of peace, hope and vitality. The flowing organic curves of the leaf were a perfect inspiration for my first endeavor in the art of gemstone setting. This elegant piece features 391 gemstones, hand–picked and set in an elaborate Snow Pavé style, which includes diamonds, sapphires, demantoids, garnets, tanzanites and many more, selected by their color pallet and brilliance. A few small aquamarines in the lower part of the piece symbolize tiny droplets of morning dew on the leaf.
Dragonfly on a Pond
I drew inspiration from masterful metalsmiths of the Late Edo Period, who favored dragonflies in their elaborate designs of tsubas and kozukas. Transparent enamel water surface is reminiscent of John Millais' color palette, which adds a Western touch. Dragonfly features patinated body and delicate mother of pearl wings. Work in progress.
Packaging
Currently, all pieces are sold in one of two variations of handcrafted boxes: a more traditional rectangular box with a starry skydome underneath the upper lid, and a more experimental Moon–shaped one.
All pieces are made to order, with waiting times of up to 8 weeks. Minor imperfections are possible due to the hand–crafted nature of the pieces, with no two pieces identical. Mother of pearl, vitreous enamel, and Japanese Rokushō patina are delicate materials, which require careful wearing. Instructions for maintenance, as well as protective Japanese Camellia oil, are provided with the orders.