This beautiful piece of jewelry is ideal for the first feature as it encompasses the essence of Boutique of Spirit perfectly - the torque is from the ancient Khond tribe of Orissa, in Northern India...
Ancestress Necklace by Morning Dove
Etsy: Morning Dove
Website: Morning Dove
This design is simple and sophisticated, showing off the beauty of form and materials.
An unconventional neck piece, intended to be worn with the open space to one side. Slide it onto the neck in the same manner as sliding on a metal cuff bracelet. If you'd like, I will provide a photo of it on my neck so you can see how it will look on a living body.
The open space can also be at the back of the neck, as torques are usually worn, with the chains dangling down the back, or over the shoulders, in front, but I prefer this look. Because of the way the torque is designed, and the oval shape, it wont slip off. I like the combination of flexible, moving chain suspended from the solid torque, and the unexpected occasional deep red spark flashing from the garnet atop the cabochon.
The color is most accurate, on my monitor, in the photos with the light beige and stones background.
The pendant is a beautiful cab of ocean picture jasper, mounted in sterling silver that has been given a smokey patina. A faceted garnet adorns the crown. This pendant was designed, created and signed by Illinois artisan and lapidary expert Pauette Wasserman. Stamped.925 , a good sized pendant.
The hand forged torque itself is a very old vintage piece from the Khond tribe of Orissa, India and was worn by tribal women when attending weddings on the steep hillsides - to ward off lightening strikes! At one time brass rings were strung on it, but I prefer the simple, artisan made, forged nature of the unadorned metal and removed them so it could be shown off to advantage. If you appreciate the esoteric, minimalist, and wabi - sabi genre of art, you'll understand what I'm attempting to convey. Its the spirit of the forged piece I admire so much.
The rollo chain is thick brass on copper.with a baked on patina buffed just enough to bring out the warm tones beneath the matte black finish. The chain has been sealed to maintain the color and prevent anything rubbing off on white clothing.
Pendant measures 1.25 x 2.5" at widest points
Torque measures 5.25 x 7" at widest pints, with a 3 inch gap
My neck measures 14" around near the base and the torque slides on and off easily when taken off sideways. To wear the gap at the back requires gently opening the torque just a bit and slipping it around the neck. Because this is a very old torque its probably better to simply slip it off and on, and not bend it repeatedly, inflicting stress on the same points and possibly weakening the metal.
!!!!!!Please check the dimensions of this necklace on your own body, photographs can sometimes cause items to appear larger or smaller than they really are, depending on one's frame of reference.
Visit Helena's Etsy store and website for more of her beautiful work. I hope to have more from Morning Dove very soon.
Karen, thank you so much for sharing my work. Your blog is beautiful, the format will compliment whatever you share here.
ReplyDeleteI appreciate that you support artists and artisans working with Spirit in its myriad facets. We often don't have much time for promoting ourselves after the creative work is done. People like you are a blessing tot he art & artisan community and much appreciated.
Keep Creating!
Helena MorningDove (Nelson -Reed)
Helena,
DeleteThank you so much for passing by to add such a sweet comment.
And thank you from the bottom of my heart for supporting this project.
Kindest regards,
Karen
xxx