Ekaterina Korzh · CLIENT: Korzhstudio
This project revises a traditional Russian jewelry set by combining sustainable technologies with traditional craft techniques. The Russian Traditional Parure features three key elements: a Celebration Tiara, a faux amber neckpiece, and an Ojerelok neckpiece. Ekaterina researched jewelry from the Russian North to revive its crafts and history, incorporating new sustainable methods like creating faux amber from recycled glass. Additionally, she expanded design possibilities and developed a unique method for applying the cloisonne goldsmithing technique directly onto recycled glass.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- The project is devoted to the recreation of conventional jewelry sets with the use of contemporary sustainable technologies and traditional craft-based techniques.
The Russian Traditional Parure consists of three major decorative elements: a Celebration Tiara, a faux amber neckpiece, and an Ojerelok neckpiece. - Dimensions & Packaging
- Celebration Tiara
Dimensions: 35 cm x 35 cm x 12 cm
Traditional Amber neckpiece
Length: 50 cm
Weight: 250 g
Ojerelok Neckpiece
Length: 150 cm - Tags
- Russian, tiaras, gold, pearl, jewelry, jewellery, historical, craft, traditional
- Production Technology
- Celebration Tiara
Medium: Cotton cord, cotton canvas, mother of pearl, silk velvet, silk canvas, vintage glass and gemstone beads, flour adhesive, vitreous enamel, freshwater pearls, goldwork wire, wool thread, brass, and fine silver.
Traditional Amber neckpiece
Medium: Recycled glass, copper, enamel inlay, and rough wool thread.
Ojerelok Neckpiece
Medium: Cotton cord, linen canvas, mother of pearl, silk velvet, silk canvas, glass, and gemstone beads. - Design Challenge
- In the project, I studied jewelry from the traditional costumes of the Russian North to address this parure with historical accuracy while applying a new contemporary approach. These techniques are time-consuming and technically challenging. Additionally, I developed a unique method for applying the cloisonne goldsmithing technique directly onto recycled glass that required me to do profound research on glass qualities and closonne techniques.
- Project Duration
- The Russian Parure took me approximately 400 hours for the development of design, embroidery work, metal work, etc. The project started in Lawrence, KS, in October of 2023 and finished in April of 2024
- Operation Flow
- This jewelry set comprises three elements: a tiara, a faux amber necklace, and a beaded neckpiece. Traditionally, it was worn by peasants in Northern Russia until the early 20th century. The set was worn by young women on their ceremony passing into the adulthood that was happening prior their wedding day.
- Research
- This project revises a traditional Russian jewelry set using modern sustainable techniques and traditional crafting methods. The Russian Traditional Parure includes three main pieces: a Celebration Tiara, a faux amber neckpiece, and an Ojerelok neckpiece. I studied jewelry from the traditional costumes of the Russian North to preserve these crafts. This project combines modern sustainable practices with traditional craft techniques.
- Inspiration
- I blend traditional hand embroidery techniques with metalwork in ornamental jewelry to illustrate my protest of the current Russian state propaganda based on fake national ideals. I do it by recalling original historical Russian craft practices and the conventional crafts I discovered through my profound research of traditional costumes and the garment history of Russia.
- Image Credits
- Ekaterina Korzh
Aaron Paden
Anastassia Rodionova
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