Comparative analysis assignment

Piece one is a locket by Thomas Mann and it in entitled ‘Chamber heart Locket’. The body of the locket is heart shaped has been made out of a white metal and the hinge and bale has been made of a yellow metal. It hangs off a simple chain. The piece has been made of two separate pieces of plate that have been pierced out in a heart shape and a heart shape has also been forged/embossed in the centre of the top plate (possibly the back plate as well). When the plates are put together and the locket is closed, there will be a hollow in the middle of the heart.  A chain, hook and loop have been used to lock the locket closed. The chain is soldered into the top plate with the hook attached to it. The hook has a bead made out of a yellow metal. The loop is soldered onto the back plate and protrudes through a pierced out slit in the top plate. The heart plates have a roll pressed pattern covering the whole surface of each heart plate. The locket is worn around the neck on a chain. Although it is quite a large piece of jewellery the plates are thin so the piece does not look heavy. If the heart has been embossed on both sides of the locket, it could be slightly uncomfortable to wear it where a locket with a flat back would sit more comfortably against the body. The plates are textured with the roll pressed pattern of dots and half shape images that look to be vibrating. Embossing the heart/s creates voluminous form. It is an asymmetrical piece. The patterns on the plate and the raised, billowing effects of the hearts give a soft feeling to the locket which contrasts with the manufactured look of the hinge and bale. The surface of the pendant is matt. Traditionally people would put photos of loved ones inside lockets and the overall shape of the locket is a heart which emphasises the idea that a locket is where you keep reminders of someone special.

Piece two is a pendant by Tom Ferreror which is entitled ‘Phoenix Pendant’.  It is a circular pendant in shape with a section pierced out of the top in a triangular shape and it has a red stone set at the top of that triangle. The pendant has been made out of a white metal although it looks as though the stone setting has been made out of a yellow metal and the inside of the cut out triangular section is a yellow metal as well.  It has a circular rim surrounding the pendant. The pendant has a slight volume to it. There is a roll pressed pattern reminiscent of a rose window on the surface of the pendant which adds a texture to the piece. the bale is made of two jump rings that have been soldered on which have quite a modernised feel and the whole piece is hung on a thin piece of wire made from a white metal. The wire is rigid. The piece is worn around the neck and probably sits quite close to the throat (choker style). The surface of the pendant is matt. The colour of the stone with the yellow metal and the ‘hand-made’ look of the pendant give the feel of a phoenix which is a mystical fire bird. It is a symmetrical piece in theory by there is an ‘imperfect feel to it’