Ring(contemprary)

Sterling silver ring, cable stitch, year made 2023

Although jewellery is the oldest form of expression, it also falls under the contemporary way in terms of jewellery making. Contemporary jewellery means a jewellery piece that is relevant or based on the current trends. My concept focuses more on the cable. In jewellery terms the word cable refers to a wire that is made of different precious metals. The above picture depicts a ring made out of sterling silver by Mzweni Tshongweni. It relates to the contemporary way of making jewellery because of the cable(wire) that is being used on the ring. Today cable is made in a much more delicate way in jewellery pieces.

Maasai (Traditional)

 

Late 20th century, glass beads, wire

The above picture depicts the glass beaded jewellery variations made in Kenya. There are three beaded pieces on this picture, from the top it is the Maasai crown piece and in the middle is the neckpiece made out of glass beads. All of these pieces are worn to signify tribal tradition, adornment and marital status. It is a traditional way for young Maasai women to receive beads from whom they want to marry at the age of fifteen to sixteen. According to Bruce Metcalf "Traditionally, jewelry is made to be attached to the body or to clothing". My jewellery concept relates to the traditional way, how so? Because it can be worn as an adornment jewellery. My jewellery can be attached to the body or clothing, because I can make earrings.\ and that can be attached to the body.