an odd pearl ring

[VapidLapid]

I saw this tonight and the pearl reminded me of the off shaped ones we'd been talking about at kojima. But also, the setting and overall ring design are different and way unique. After looking at the decorative motifs a while I am thinking theres some overall intent to conjure the feeling, through abstraction, of an octopus holding the pearl.

http://www.georgianjewelry.com/items/show/12735-diamonds-pearl-art-nouveau-ring

 

[movie zombie]

i think you're right re the artistic intent. very unusual. checked out the link: it looks rather good on the model.

MoZo

 

[iLander]

I think this is really awesome, VL! I really like it, and it's very wabi-sabi, like the Kasumi pearls.

It has a certain organic quality to it, and it reminds me of an octopus too!

As long as we're posting cool old stuff made with pearls, I want to play too! This is the Canning Jewel which has a great back story (google).

 

[movie zombie]

wow, creative! will google for backstory.

MoZo

 

[VapidLapid]

Am I seeing things? Have I gone completely off my bivalve rocker?
She's a man, baby!
And his skirt seems to be composed of octopus tentacles!

 

[iLander]

VL, you're so funny!

Here's the backstory: ~ His name was Lord Canning. He was the Governor General of India from 1856 - 1862. Because he did a lot of good things for India, he was gifted by the Indian Royalty with what has become known as The Canning Jewel.

~ The Canning Jewel is made of solid gold, with a combination of rich enamel, diamonds, rubies and pearls. Lord Canning brought this heavily jeweled pendant back to England, and it presently resides in the Victoria & Albert Museum in London. The Canning Jewel, shown at right, was bought by the museum in 1935 for $26,000. It is a spectacular work of art, thought to have been made in the Renaissance Period of the 16th century.

I think it's a merman, or neptune maybe, it doesn't really say.

What I find interesting is the ruby that is carved almost like a reverse of one of Richard Homer's stones. Isn't that odd?

 

[movie zombie]

i see a neptune.....albeit a very "well hung" neptune. not unusual in the time period in which it is thought to have been designed/made for men to have phallic decoration.

MoZo

 

[iLander]

i see a neptune.....albeit a very "well hung" neptune. not unusual in the time period in which it is thought to have been designed/made for men to have phallic decoration.

MoZo

Hmmm . . . I didn't really see that until you mentioned it, Mozo. . .

Maybe it's time to check in with your hubby, Mozo

 

[movie zombie]

i've been to many museums and read the background on artistic works. many such as this brooch and cane handles were designed to be worn or used in public but were phallic/erotic. once saw a cane handle from the 1930's carried by an aristoctratic german that was positively lewid/erotic/pornographic yet unless one "looked" it was't really "obvious".

MoZo

 

[iLander]

i've been to many museums and read the background on artistic works. many such as this brooch and cane handles were designed to be worn or used in public but were phallic/erotic. once saw a cane handle from the 1930's carried by an aristoctratic german that was positively lewid/erotic/pornographic yet unless one "looked" it was't really "obvious".

MoZo

Oh, I know. Just teasing you, Mozo . . .

 

[movie zombie]

i know......but its fun!

MoZo

 

[iLander]

i know......but its fun!

MoZo

You are cracking me up, Mozo!

 

[VapidLapid]

I could say that pearls in general have always been a thinly veiled metaphor for some sexual anatomy and rubies as well. Much of the mythologies and metaphysical powers ascribed to them refer back to their sexual symbolism. Then too the whole history of jewelry embellishment can be seen in a context of signaling power, divinity and sexual prowess.

 

[partgypsy]

Thats funny I'm reading the "pearl hanger" a mystery which involves a baroque pearl brooch like this one.

 

[Arkteia]

If anyone wants to read "Caesar's Women" by Colleen McCullough (the author of "The Thorn Birds"), she describes a situation, whether real or invented, when Caesar broke a marriage contract between his only daughter Julia and Brutus for political reasons and gave Brutus's mother (also his lover) his best pearl. Pink. She considered it so valuable that did not mind the violation of the contract... It is a very interesting story. A little bit of-topic but the story is amazing...

As to the ring, Mikimoto used some of its ideas in a new, modernized line. I can not post photos because I have a pendant and a ring but the pearls are artificial. Sorry.

My posting here shows very cautious approach to pearls. I owe none so far.