Comparative Analysis of Two Brooches

At first glance these two pieces appear to be vastly different, and so they are in many ways, but they do share similarities. Brooch A at first appears to be irregular and free form while brooch B is obviously very regular and symmetrical. Upon closer inspection it becomes obvious that Brooch A has a parallel symmetry to it, its shape and design are mirrored along the vertical and horizontal axes. The same is true of Brooch B.


One of the most notable differences between these two pieces is that Brooch B is only presented from a front view, while Brooch A is shown from the front and the back. The back of Brooch B and the mechanism allowing the piece to be worn are not presented and we must assume that they are meant to be hidden, and secondary to the design of the piece. What is not seen could perhaps be interpreted as being intentionally secret but in the case of Brooch B, I do not feel that this is the case. The three dimensionality of Brooch B, the way that the petal forms of the flower-like shape in white metal at the front of the piece sits away from the domed disk of yellow metal beneath make me think that it is the body and depth of the piece that are paramount to the aesthetic of this design. The contrast in colour between the two metals used heightens the felling of volume and space within the piece. The open, bell-like ends of the six petal shapes of Brooch B further emphasise the volumetric nature, and bloom-like delicacy of this piece. Brooch A, by comparison is quite flat in terms of its shape, it does not have significant physical depth or volume to it. This piece is made up of an intricately designed and constructed back plate and a brightly coloured and patterned front plate. The bright orange colour of the front plate and bold black and yellow figure upon this surface are immediately eye-catching and intriguing, the true surprise comes when the piece is turned over and the foliage design in dark grey metal, highlighted by two of the elements of the design picked out in yellow metal, on the back is revealed. Brooch A contrasts with Brooch B most obviously in what this secret design on the back of Brooch A means for the psychology of the piece. In Brooch B everything is revealed or neglected, the design is open and completely obvious, in Brooch A the front shows one design and the back known only to the designer and the wearer shows another one, one very much like a secret garden.