Lost wax casting process

 

Traditional jewellery

Beaded Neckpiece
(Bought)

Cow Casted Sculpture And Beaded Necklace

My pieces relates to traditional jewellery as it can be passed down from generation to generation as it consists of sculptures which can be made into a pendant of an elderly family member who for example played a huge role or bought wealth into to the family and that pendant can be seen as a talisman that attracts wealth and can be passed down to generations. Most pieces are  influenced by Zulu Religion and other African Cultures within the African Continent. My jewellery relates to traditional jewellery because it signifies what Africans mostly value such as beads and cattles as they indicate ones status , role in society and most importantly serve as a source of food and clothing. My jewellery connects to traditional jewellery as it uses the same material used to make traditional jewellery such as horns, animal teeth and sculptures but now in a size that is accommodating to be worn everyday and precious metals such as silver and gold are included in order to add value so the jewellery appreciates with time and serve as portable wealth when crisis approach.

 

Shembe Fodo

Fodo Badge And Necklace With Resin Beads And Pendant
photo:by Ayanda

The above image on the badge is of isaiah Mdliwamafa Shembe who was a founder of Nazaretha church that is a combination of Zulu religion and Christianity that is based on the old testament of the bible. The Shembe amulet comes in different designs and shapes, it can also come in forms of  brooches, necklaces that can be worn and hunged on a car and stickers that can also be pasted on a car.

It is called iFodo it is an Amulet that either has an image of Isaiah Shembe or other prophets who have ruled the Shembe congregation after him. The necklace is used as a protection amulet and it is hanged on the rear mirror and it protects you from car accidents, hijacking car break in's. If it is a badge you pin it to the clothes you are wearing to protect you and for luck. Stickers are also pasted on the door of your home as prevention from evil forces that are spiritual or from people.

The amulet, known as "iFodo," typically features an image of Isaiah Shembe or other prophets who succeeded him in leading the Shembe congregation. These amulets are made from various materials, often metals, and sometimes include printed images or symbols.The necklace amulet is used for protection and is commonly hung from the rearview mirror in vehicles. It is believed to offer safeguarding against car accidents, hijacking, and car break-ins. If it's a badge, it can be pinned to one's clothing for protection and luck. Technique used is sticker application.
 

Rastafarian Ankh

Garvey Wooden Beaded Ankh Set

For rastafarians an ankh is is a representation of eternal life and is a symbolic key of levity(Rastafarian concept of righteous or ever-living living . All those nearby are thought to be affected by the ankh's energy, which is said to radiate. As a result, having an Ankh in your possession such as in the form of an amulet is thought to protects you from evil spirits and deterioration in your life. 

The Rastafarian Ankh necklace symbolizes the divine and eternal life force. During meditation, it serves as a reminder of life's interconnectedness and the importance of spiritual vitality. Rastafarianism, deeply rooted in African heritage and spirituality, embraces the ankh due to its historical ties to ancient Africa. When used in meditation, it fosters a deeper connection to African spirituality and ancestry.

Bronze, Wood & nut. Technique used is beading.

Religious Amulet

 

Beaded Catholic Rosary

A rosary is a necklace worn mostly by Christians especially the Catholics. The Rosary is a prayer rope that has beads and is used to count certain prayers.  Prayers are uttered during a religious practice in which they are extended and numbered on a cord or beads string. The 59 beads of a rosary are used by Roman Catholics. The Our Father prayer is recited using the six large beads, while the Hail Mary prayer is spoken using the 53 smaller beads. The Apostles' Creed, Glory Be, and Hail, Holy Queen are additional rosary prayers. . These phrases have a strong biblical and Christian traditional foundation and can be used as a meditation.

The rosary is a Christian prayer aid, often associated with the Catholic tradition. It consists of a cord or string of beads, meticulously designed for structured prayer and meditation. In the Roman Catholic version, it typically comprises 59 beads. Six larger beads are employed for reciting the Our Father prayer, while the remaining 53 smaller beads are dedicated to the Hail Mary prayer. Additionally, the rosary includes the Apostles' Creed, Glory Be, and Hail, Holy Queen prayers. These time-honored phrases hold deep biblical and Christian traditions and are conducive to meditation.

made of materials such as wood, glass, plastic, or precious metals like gold or silver. The cord or string connecting the beads is typically made from durable materials, allowing for ease of use during prayer.

eating a rosary involves stringing the beads together in a specific pattern, often with a crucifix or cross at one end and a pendant or centerpiece at the other. Skilled artisans carefully knot or attach each bead to the cord

Egyptian Necklace Amulet

Heavy beaded neck piece with with a crescent front  

 
In ancient region, the Menat is an amulet that has many rows of beads and a cresent font piece and a counterpoise attached at it rear. The necklace was intended to bring good fortune and protect against evil spirits. It was also worn for afterlife protection and is frequently discovered buried with the dead, given as a grave gift from Ramesside times (the second Dynasty of the Ancient Egyptian New Kingdom period, lasting from 1292 BC to 1189 BC.)Females who engaged in religious activities were more likely to carry it.  It was a percussion instrument that was shook to provide a soothing noise in order to satisfy a god or goddess. The other end of the strings were attached to a counterweight that was hung from the wearer's back. The aegis was often made of faience(keyhole-shaped piece) and other materials like leather and metal such as bronze were also used.

The Menat, an ancient amulet, consists of multiple rows of beads, a crescent-shaped pendant in the front, and a counterpoise at the rear. This necklace served various purposes, including bringing good fortune, warding off evil spirits, and providing afterlife protection. It was frequently discovered as a burial offering during the Ramesside period of Ancient Egypt (1292 BC to 1189 BC). Women engaged in religious activities often wore it, and it also functioned as a percussion instrument used to produce soothing sounds for divine offerings.

The Menat was crafted using different materials, with the beads typically made of faience. Additional materials such as leather and metals like bronze were also used. The amulet was meticulously strung together with multiple rows of beads and attached to a counterweight at the rear, allowing it to be worn comfortably. This technique ensured its durability and effectiveness in both spiritual rituals and protective functions.

Sculpture Neckpiece

Cow sculpture beaded necklace 

 The above picture is of neckpiece that I made.The cow sculpture was sculpted using wax and casted with gilding metal and the red and black effect was made by anneling the head till reddish brown. The beaded necklace  used is off a four bead pattern to create a square shape.

Mirrored rabbits

 

Mirrored rabbits designs

First Attempt Design