‘BID FOR FREEDOM’ HEAVY SHACKLE BANGLE

This bangle is one of my icon pieces of ‘Aguila Dorada’, a real favourite, and it is one of the really key designs in this collection.

The collection itself, ‘The Forgotten Treasures of the Infamous Aguila Dorada’ to give it its full name, draws on the idea of a wild and untamed sea-faring character. A figure who has seen the world, sailed the seven seas and returned with chilling tales to tell, and deep dark secrets to keep. A piratical character – rugged and untameable, but passionate and ultimately seductive.  

As part of my early research I spent hours in the British Museum sketching ancient treasure hoards and piratical duelling pistols. I referenced ships and galleons, as well as looking to the work of photographers such as Mark Borthwick, Sam Haskins and Bruce Weber. Whilst visiting a tiny Chandlery in a back street of Central London I came across a wealth of shackles and ropes and all things boat–based. I became fascinated.

I loved the connotations of the shackles – not only were they a functioning element of a ship, but they had the undertones of restraint and restriction. There was something very appealing in this double meaning. I imagined a beautifully formed golden shackle, left hanging on a wrist as if a recent escape had just been made. 

I worked with the forms of the shackle to create volume, and incorporate the sensual, seductive lines of the sculptural forms I wanted the collection to have. 

The detail on the shackle bangle was important to me – I didn't want this just to feel like a bangle, I wanted the connotations of the shackle itself to be clear, hence working in the ring detail at the base. The suggestion that this elegant piece of jewellery may have other uses, or have had other uses, underpins the design, and for me gives it a thrilling edge.