pearl clasp neclace series
The Pearl Clasp Necklace series utilizes altered images of a traditional pearl clasp and porcelain “pearls”. The clasps flatten, inflate, gradate and deform, loosing their function in this transformation and becoming decorative elements. Porcelain is slip cast into images of pearls that gain their nacre from actual fresh water pearls that have been crushed and fired to cone 13 onto the surface of the porcelain, making a transparent blue glaze. Fresh water pearls are transformed into puddles of luster on the surface of otherwise soft, slightly deformed large round porcelain forms. Fusing of the two precious materials, fresh water pearls and porcelain, changes both, creating a new kind of precious jewel.
Pearl Clasp Necklace I, sterling silver, 8” x 8” x 1/8”, 2008
Pearl Clasp Necklace I, sterling silver, 8” x 8” x 1/8”, 2008
Pearl Clasp Necklace 2, rhodium plated sterling silver, porcelain, silk thread, 8” x 8 ½” x 5/8”, 2012
Pearl Clasp Necklace 2, rhodium plated sterling silver, porcelain, silk thread, 8” x 8 ½” x 5/8”, 2012
Pearl Clasp Necklace 2, rhodium plated sterling silver, porcelain, silk thread, 8” x 8 ½” x 5/8”, 2012
Pearl Clasp Necklace 3, rhodium plated sterling silver, porcelain, fresh water pearls, silk thread, glaze made by fresh water pearls fired to cone 13, lacquer, 7 ½” x 8” x 5/8”, 2012
Pearl Clasp Necklace 3, rhodium plated sterling silver, porcelain, fresh water pearls, silk thread, glaze made by fresh water pearls fired to cone 13, lacquer, 7 ½” x 8” x 5/8”, 2012
Pearl Clasp Necklace 3, rhodium plated sterling silver, porcelain, fresh water pearls, silk thread, glaze made by fresh water pearls fired to cone 13, lacquer, 7 ½” x 8” x 5/8”, 2012
Pearl Clasp Necklace 4, rhodium plated sterling silver, porcelain, fresh water pearls, silk thread, glaze made by fresh water pearls fired to cone 13, lacquer, 8” x 8 ½” x 5/8”, 2012
Pearl Clasp Necklace 4, rhodium plated sterling silver, porcelain, fresh water pearls, silk thread, glaze made by fresh water pearls fired to cone 13, lacquer, 8” x 8 ½” x 5/8”, 2012
Pearl Clasp Necklace 4, rhodium plated sterling silver, porcelain, fresh water pearls, silk thread, glaze made by fresh water pearls fired to cone 13, lacquer, 8” x 8 ½” x 5/8”, 2012
Double Pearl Necklace III, porcelain, rubber, fresh water pearls, silk thread, glaze made by fresh water pearls fired to cone 13, 10” x 7” x 5/8”, 2010
Double Pearl Necklaces, detail, 2010