Hail, Star Of The Sea

 

"Ave Maris Stella"

I have mothers on my mind lately with Mother's Day on it's way.  The focal for this piece is a very special, heirloom...an antique silver religious mother's medal with a bower of tiny leaves.

 

On the front is a gorgeous depiction of mother Mary with the words "Monstra te esse matrem" which mean "demonstrate yourself to be a mother."  This phrase is from an old, Latin, vespers hymn called "Ave Maris Stella" or, "Hail Star of the Sea." 

Mary looks pregnant, to me, and has been rubbed so many times, her face and belly are smooth.

On the back is engraved the French name "Jos (Joseph) Michon" and the dates "1898-1923"   My thoughts are that this medal may have been worn as mourning jewelry, possibly by the mother of young Jos.  I can picture her rubbing this medal as she prayed with thoughts of her son.

I've hung the medal from a luscious, baroque pearl with a vintage rhinestone dangle in my favorite cut.  All of this is suspended from a handmade, twisted sterling, wrapped ring and combined it with more sterling, crystals, genuine faceted rubies and faceted iolite.

A tiny, vintage black glass and rhinestone drop is wrapped with sterling and dangles from the side. I've included unique, mother-of-pearl, carved roses and heavy sterling chain.

 

The piece is finished with a stitched strip of cream silk wrapped with sterling and tiny pearls and a vintage rhinestone button as a clasp.

 

Comments

[Gretchen Schaumann]

Wow, this is beautiful. Nice work once again.
Any advice you can give on purchasing a drill for jewelry work? This was what I had asked for for Mother's Day, but my dh didn't find anything appropriate. I've used his big one in the past and it about broke my wrist from the weight of it.
Thanks for any advice you might care to lend.
Gretchen

[pamela huntington]

HI Deryn...
these are lovely

[Erin Prais-Hintz]

Oh Deryn, that is so simply stunning! I love the little story about the medal....And you are keeping Jos' memory alive by passing it along. Thank you for sharing some inspiration today!
Enjoy the day! Erin

[Dawn @ The Feathered Nest]

Deryn, your creations are so breathtaking....I'm so glad you blog to share them with us! xxoo, Dawn

[Nerissa Alford]

Your Mother's Day pieces are just gorgeous! Someone is going to be happy receiving one
Nerissa

[jenn]

Thinking about the history of found items and their meaning just adds to your pieces. Very nice work!

[mar]

gorgeous piece
and since reading your book (which is terrific!)
i have been on a search collecting pieces to begin my own journey creating this style...so i KNOW how hard and precious pieces like these are to come by!

lovely visit everytime

///////

[annie]

I'm thinking of that long ago mother who mourned her lost son. She could not have imagined that the medal that gave her comfort would survive to spread its beauty afar and keep the spirit of her child alive.

[Christine]

Simply gorgeous Deryn! I just love all the elements you put in this bracelet. Hope you are doing well- sorry, I haven't visited in awhile, it's been a little busy (but good busy!). Have a great weekend...
~Christine

[Polly]

That is lovely! I always miss my dear mother so very much this time of year....

[Dale]

oh deryn those bead caps there with with the rhinestones, surrounding the rubies, are simply to die for. I adore them in every way! Were those purchased or did you create those? I was inspired and ran off mid-read to go and make a couple bead caps of my own! I'll link you when i use them.

[Marie-Aimée]

just wonderful
have a good day

[Renate]

I just love those mother-of-pearl roses!