CHAIN AND SHACKLE NECKLACE

The ‘shackle’ form features heavily as part of the collection ‘Aguila Dorada’, in various guises.

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.  

My obsession with shackles started during the very early research phases. Having spent a lot of time staring at ancient treasure hoards and old, piratical-feeling duelling pistols in the British Museum, I discovered a ships Chandlery shop in a back street of Central London. It was here 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 started to explore what I could do with the forms, without losing the mechanism, to translate the idea into pieces of fine jewellery. I wanted to make the shackle form beautiful – to give it some sensuality and the volume that was important to me in this collection.

This necklace utilises the original function of the shackle itself. I have always had an innate phobia about the clasps of necklaces – they are often ugly, and not thought through. Or simply distracting when they slip towards the front as you wear the piece (which they invariably do). 

By using the sculptural shackle form as not only the feature of the design, but also as an elegant way to close the chain – I solved all the problems in one go. The simplicity of this piece means all attention is focussed on the shackle itself, the weight and the forms and the ever-so-slightly deviant glamour that the shackle brings.