Island Paradise Cloisonne

I took a class with Darci Shea Bogdan on Landscapes in Cloisonné. It was a wonderful class and I learned a lot. I wanted to portray what I grew up with in India, the ocean, coconut trees, papaya trees, beautiful vistas, sunsets etc. I tried to incorporate all those memories in one piece.

Cloisonne is a difficult and painstaking art. On a small curved piece of 999 pure silver, you make a design with fine 999 pure silver cloisonne wire, which you bend and make stand up in a relatively small space. Cells are created, so that you can add enamel in layers, blend colors, a little at a time, firing in the kiln each time. You build up the layers to get depth till your cells are full and flush with the upper part of the cloisonne wire. After the final firing, you grind down the upper layer of enamel so that you have a smooth surface and can just see the demarcation of the wires and your design looks like a painting.

The back plate is sterling silver with tabs cut in it to encase the Cloisonne piece. This is a beautiful statement piece.

Dimensions of the pendant : 1 and 1/2 inches X 2 inches on a 17 inch long sterling silver cord like neck wire with a hidden clasp.