During this year’s London Craft Week, Turquoise Mountain launched three new capsule jewellery collections at the Objet d'Emotion Showroom in collaboration with Myanmar goldsmiths, each inspired by different elements of the lotus flower and handcrafted from a variety of local materials. HRH The Prince of Wales established the Turquoise Mountain in 2006 with the goal of reviving historic places and traditional crafts, as well as providing jobs, skills, and a restored sense of pride.
Three capsule lines included in this new collection are KYANI, PADONMAR, and KUMUDRA. Each one is influenced by and interprets aspects of Myanmar's rich cultural past, such as golden temple adornment and palm and bamboo weaving. Each of these lines uses a distinct traditional creative approach, such as lost wax casting for beads and filigree for rendering delicate flower designs.
Myanmar goldsmiths have been known for their handcrafted jewellery for decades. Complex decorative motifs fashioned using handmade filigree, open-wire work, and other ancient processes are rare to come by these days, and machines have taken over production. The talents required to handcraft a piece of jewellery, from selecting the proper alloy to polishing the end product, are at risk of extinction. These techniques are included in this new collection, which aims to revitalise and protect this kind of distinctive craftsmanship.
The sacred lotus blossom is another theme that runs across the new collection. These flowers, which can be found throughout Myanmar and come in a variety of colours and sizes, sprout from the bottom of ponds and lakes and gradually rise to the surface to form a beautiful blossom. The Kumudra lotus shuts and sinks into the water at night. It rises again with the dawn of a new day, always finding its way to bloom.
Select items in the collection bow to the nature of this ancient flower, which has found its place throughout Myanmar's history and culture, including through the name or the design itself.
Needless to say, it was a fun, interactive experience that allowed us to see the process of making these intricate jewellery pieces, and a chance to see the end product. We also learnt a lot about the goldsmithing process, and the history and culture of Myanmar.
