Analysis of Design - practice 1

1. Linda Threadgill Earrings

These hollow constructed earrings are made of yellow metal. They hang on the ears with shepherd hooks. These hooks are also made of yellow metal. Each earring is made up of three identical parts joined together at the top outer edges of the three around a central point. Each of these pieces is in the shape of a round facet-cut gemstone. The thin strips of metal which are soldered together to create each piece, make a delicate tracery of the outline of each face of a faceted stone, and each has depth and three-dimensionality.

From the example of another pair of earrings by the same designer shown on a model, I assume that these earrings are fairly large, measuring approximately 40 x 40mm. They would have visual impact from some distance.

The repeated pattern of the elements (small triangles and so on) which make up the gemstone shape of each, seen in this skeletal form, and repeated again through the three parts of each earring completely lose the gemstone association and form something more organic in feeling. The earrings have the appearance of flowers, or a plant or coral like structure, perhaps at a cellular level. The size, colour and design of the pieces give them a rich baroque feeling, while they have a very post modern concept behind them. They echo the shape of enormous brilliant-cut diamonds of massive value and yet they are merely a lyrical scaffolding made out of brass.

2. Bird of Paradise drop earrings

These earrings are cast in white metal and have shepherds hooks in yellow metal attached at the back. The earrings are fairly moderate in size but quite substantially thick, measuring 20mm long x 13mm wide and 9mm deep.

Each earring is made up of three cup-shaped elements, giving the pieces the form of an abstracted bird's wing. The three cupped elements of each piece are joined at the bottom of each so that they are stacked and nested one within the next, and they fan out away from each other slightly at the top. The inside of the forms is matt and appears to have picked up the texture of the wax model from the investment or other casting substance used. The outside of the forms is buffed and polished to a high shine.

The repeated cup-like form within each of this identical pair of earrings creates the impression of a fanned feather-like form and gives the pieces a feeling of lightness and delicacy. The use of two different coloured metals separates the form from its finding and gives the wing-form a refreshing separateness from its hook as though it might fly away.