Amphora Necklace

Fine vase pendant set with a tanzanite weighing 20.86ct set in 22k.

A necklace of Pyu beads set with 24k gold beads accompany this ‘amphora’ pendant.

Amphora: an ancient Greek jar or vase with a large oval body, narrow neck, and two handles (ears).

Made in these times, our amphora has two holes for ears, to go with its purplish heart of stone, behind which hides a pinkish snail back.

The color of the tanzanite is deepened within the closed quarters, the latter an old but noteworthy technique of setting a ‘mysterious’ stone.

Large as it is, the main stone is able to support a pendant with two faces, both interesting, its ‘back’ with a story to tell.

The glass enamel on the snail shell is encrusted on the gold – the closing of a cave, in orange and pink tones like a shell rehomed.

The enamel on the front and back show two ways of enamel production, perfection and imperfection, both walked through fire.

On the shell is hand-fired enamel, primal, not unlike magical pieces accomplished during Art Nouveau’s earlier days, making this large pink flare is keeping this spirit alive.

Aspects of duality pepper the making of this amphora pendant – an openness built upon a cloister – everything difficult to construct sublime to the eye.

The cat’s eye cabochon is out of direct view, but completely in the eye of the beholder, when one looks down while wearing the necklace.

The Necklace

The necklace is built to the colors of the pendant, violet and red.

Composed of amethyst and and carnelian, all beads are excavated ancient beads, with at least a thousand years in age.

The 24k gold bicone beads are non-Pyu, as are the 24k gold balls. The tale is not new, too little ancient gold survives.

Strung on lavender and red silk, silk not usually used with Pyu beads, but to make a thing soulful we could not resort to wire.

The 22k gold links are modelled on Greco-Roman chains, hand-formed one after another, with two openings to the centre and back.

In the midst of everything sit a pair of carved monkeys, preening and precious, passing from one epoch to the next.

The necklace is 27″ long. The amphora pendant measures 5.5cm by 3cm.