Key Fascination 10/21/2009
 On a scenic fall hike several years back, we stopped for a rest nearby some old railroad tracks. I noticed something sticking out of the ground and dug it up. It was a large rusty key, shown in the above photo. Finding it was the start of antique and vintage key collecting.  Photograph by Flickr member *April* For hundreds of years keys have represented authority, security, and power. Its symbol is found throughout history, on coats of arms, banners and even seals for kings, emporers and cities. Found in art, including stained glass, keys unlock the Kingdom of Heaven and the Bottomless Pit. And presenting a "key to the city" is a medieval tradition that continues to this day.  I took a few of my favorites, created molds, and employing traditional goldsmithing methods cast each in recycled sterling silver. Here they are with almost every detail of the originals showing wonderfully. Beautiful key necklaces, connecting to the past. A key fascination. CommentsLisa Sun, 22 Nov 2009 17:59:55 And let us not forget the "key" to our hearts. Nice blog! Tue, 30 Mar 2010 17:37:45 Love your keys above and I too, am fascinated/obsessed with keys. I have a centerpiece on my "Tell Your Story" necklace from an Etsy seller, solid sterling which is my favorite metal. I've been buying them for my shop as well as collecting pewter and brass keys for my personal collection. So cool that you create the molds, far beyond my silversmithing capabilites. Again, love your stuff!!! Leave a Reply |  Al and Caroline have over 25 years combined experience designing and handmaking fine jewelry and restoring antique and period jewelry. One project involves designing and creating a collection inspired by stained glass from the late 18th century and early 19th century, including mixed media art jewelry. And most of the time there is at least one stained glass lampshade in the shop, undergoing restoration.                                      If you would like to leave a comment to a post on this page - - it's easy! Look to the right of the title, and you will see a link all in red letters. Click that, and you will be able to leave a comment. Oh, and if you try to leave a comment but this site acts kind of funky, just hit refresh and then the window should come up. Thank you very much! www.flickr.com
This is a Flickr badge showing public items from the stained glass detail group pool. Make your own badge here.
 Stained Glass Association of America The Preservation and Repair of Historic Stained and Leaded Glass The Charles Hosmer Morse Museum of American Art The Smith Museum of Stained Glass Windows Metropolitan Museum's Gallery devoted to the Works of Louis Comfort Tiffany Corning Museum of Glass Museum of Glass The Toledo Museum of Art Glass Pavilion The Blenko Museum  If you like something you see here on beyondtherockz.com and you would like to post our links onto your own site, we'd be flattered! Just please be sure to note our site on your post - -    July 2010  |
RSS Feed