Within living memory it has not only been man's basic need to decorate himself with jewellery, but also to give these pieces of jewellery some substance.
Jewellery is therefore not only a means to self-portrayal. Besides the aesthetic virtue it also stands for something insubstantial. Just think of amulets, charms, signet rings and wedding rings - these pieces of jewellery promise some sort of protection and stand for a certain social status. Or they symbolise the solidarity with a beloved person.
We would like to introduce some ideas of symbolisms Mokume Gane jewellery can be associated with. This is not a matter of academic insight, and also no binding matter. These are merely our own ideas and questions. Maybe this just offers food for thought, and maybe you discover a very own profundity in your individual piece of jewellery....
Partnership rings: Individuality and Solidarity....
Two (or more) metals comply deeply an integrated whole. Each metal keeps its autonomy, but they are both inseparably joint. The rings are forged from one single billet. But even so each ring acquires its individuality through slightly various patterns.
Each metal inheres its own symbolism: Silver, for example, is the moon metal, and gold is the sun metal. What will happen, if both metals are combined in one piece of jewellery? Are the opposites put into perspective? Or does the polarity get rather thrilling?
Source of energy
As is generally known, energy does not get lost, it just changes shapes. What happens with the energy required for producing Mokume Gane jewellery (see technique)? Does it get stored within the piece of jewellery? Will it be passed on to the owner of this piece of jewellery?
A classic battery creates electricity through voltage drops between 2 different metals. What happens within a Mokume Gane metal? Could it possibly be that energy is generated?
Live flow...
The patterns of Mokume Gane jewellery are of organic character. They seem like snap-shots of one big movement. "Everything flows" (Thales), which means there is no stagnancy in life...
With some experience one is able to plan the pattern of Mokume Gane jewellery. Nevertheless, we are often surprised of unpredictable variations in the patterns. Wonderful! This shows that we cannot prearrange everything in life...
Text: Anja Wiebelt