Bruce
Metcalf’s Functions of Jewellery and my own work
After reading
Bruce Metcalf’s Nature of Jewellery where he discusses the three functions of
jewellery, I looked at my own work to see where my jewellery fits in with the
functions that he spoke about. The three functions are described as: Status,
where the jewellery is worn to conform to specific social groups, Redeemable
Wealth, where the jewel can be redeemed for a value in money; and Spiritual
mediation, where jewellery has spiritual meanings in a faith.
Status
Although I may
not have consciously made my jewellery to be worn by a specific group in
society, I think that my jewellery is made to be worn by a small group of
people in society and this is due to my personal interests and style reflected
in my jewellery and choice of materials used in my creations. My jewellery is
of more contemporary in style and does not conform to the conventional forms of
jewellery seen in the larger market of the jewellery world. Looking at the earrings pictured below, you
can see that they are constructed using silver, pearls and Swarovski crystals,
the wearer could be placed into middle to higher class social group, capable of
earning enough to afford jewellery with luxurious trimmings. Also, the wearer
can be pinned as eccentric, unique or ‘arty’ as these earrings are bold and
move around when worn, drawing attention.
Redeemable
Wealth
Looking at
the ring that I submitted for the 2018 Platafrica competition, you can see a
perfect example of redeemable wealth. This ring is made out of one of the most
expensive metals, platinum, thus it has plenty of potential wealth to it. It
has the ability to be sold for a large sum of money just due to the fact that
it is made out of platinum. It also has a different form of value attached to
it, particularly because it is a one of a kind ‘designer’ piece completely
unique with no replica existing. It is also a special piece because it was
involved in the renowned 2018 plat Africa awards and made by a previous Plat Africa
winner (not to toot my own whistle). Therefore, one day when I am better well
known for my contemporary jewellery, this ring and all my other creations could
have the potential to have value regardless of the materials it is made from.
Spiritual
Mediation
This function
was a tough one for me to find in my contemporary jewellery. I don’t deliberately
involve a spiritual aspect to my work like some jewellers do. After pondering
about this for a while, I thought about how I use botanical forms in my
jewellery and how they set alight my soul in an indescribable manner. I feel a
sense of harmony when I look at and work with forms of nature. This might not
have a direct connection with my God, but when I make things that I love, I think
of God and how he crafted the world and everything in it, in this way I feel
drawn to him. When I handle the jewellery during manufacturing, the short
period of time that these jewels are in my hands, they possess the function of
spiritual mediation as I have a personal spiritual connection with the pieces
that I make.
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