|
 The Imperial families
of Russia were avid collectors of fine jewelry, objets d’art,
furnishings and glass. Up until the Russian Revolution in 1917,
the House of Fabergé was the primary imperial jeweler
to the Tsars. With the delivery of the first imperial Easter
egg in 1885 to Alexander III, the House of Faberge´ received
its imperial warrant. During the reign of Nicholas II, Fabergé’s
commission doubled as the new tsar wished to give an egg every
year to his mother (Maria Feodorovna) and his wife, Empress Alexandra
Feodorovna. As well as being masterpieces of elegance and refinement,
the imperial eggs were tours de force of technical virtuosity.
The collection that ensued is amazing!
Alexandra’s
Sautoir is my interpretation of the floral aspects of the imperial
eggs and the bejeweled flowers that were Fabergé’s
specialty. A single dimensional stylized flower reigns supreme
on a background of pearls. The necklace evokes the style of the
early 1900’s pearl Sautoir necklaces, but with a contemporary
look.
View
full image...
The flower center
uses tubular Peyote stitch with increasing to create the flower
center, the attaching area for the petals and the smoothly shaped
back of the flower. Two drop Peyote stitched and color graded
petals are attached to the center of the flower, delivering dimensional
effects. The flower rests center front on a Right Angle Weave
necklace chain that ends in the front with two tassels and in
the back with two buttons and a connector.
Exclusive
for Beads on the Vine, July 2012
Skill level:
Intermediate
to advanced
This is a 1-day
workshop
Photos: Mark
Rutledge
|
