indian jewelrey?

[treasurehuntr2]

Hi Folks. Haven't been here for awhile. Great to see so many familiar names! I found this along the waterfront in Berkeley Ca. I assume that its some kind of a jewelry piece, possibly by an Ohlonee (not sure if this is the correct spelling) It is about the size of a silver dollar. Can any one tell me anything about it? Much thanks in advance! Peace...

 

[RELICDUDE07]

http://www.santacruzmuseums.org/exhibits/permanent/ohlone.htm

 

[High Plains Digger]

Are the colored inserts stone or enamel? Jus making the seperations for the inserts took a lot of work unless it was cast that way. If it was, there are probably others exactly like it. I'm betting enamel, but make sure that if it looks like stone, it is solid stone. They used powdered "turquoise" etc. with epoxy or other bonding agents to do the fill in.

 

[treasurehuntr2]

Hi and Thanks for responding. You are right. The inserts are enamel like, not stones. This is why I wanted more information on the piece, because I knew it was something probably very old, and I wondered how someone would have gotten this perfect separation and lines so small. Who are "they"? Can you tell who may have made this, or what the symbols mean. I am intrigued with the piece and I appreciate your help....

 

[Gecko]

well, i don't know anything about this piece other than i like it. but i did play with it and 'painted' it like it may have looked new. (just close one eye and squint.... it helps) anyway, i didn't know what color the center was so i made it white. Too much time on my hands i guess. lol

 

[High Plains Digger]

gecko: you should go into the business!

My thoughts: probably something mass stamped, or perhaps cast. Today it would have been made in china, but 30-40 years ago, may home crafts or hippie or what ever. I learned to enamel in 7th grade arts and crafts. To make the colored part itself, you just sprinkle in tiny colored enamel grains, then put it on a hot plate until they melt. Not complicated at all when the base is divided like it is.

PS: Symbolism is Sun, moon, and Eagle wing. Or just an artistic design trying to look southwest. I opt for the second.

 

[treasurehuntr2]

Thank you for all for the great information Relicdude and HPDigger. As for you Gecko, I agree with HPDigger..... you should probably keep too much time on your hands, if it's going to produce this creative and talented side of yourself. I was just so shocked when I saw what you had done! As you know, I had one of those "eery attractions" to this piece for whatever the reason, and the fact that you liked it too.... and enough to do something really nice like this with it, makes it that much more special. I loved it...Thank you!

 

[Got_4by4]

Hi and Thanks for responding. You are right. The inserts are enamel like, not stones. This is why I wanted more information on the piece, because I knew it was something probably very old, and I wondered how someone would have gotten this perfect separation and lines so small. Who are "they"? Can you tell who may have made this, or what the symbols mean. I am intrigued with the piece and I appreciate your help....

YOU say you "knew it was something probably very old".
I agree with H P D! It is "modern abstract" and stamped by machined dies.
"I" have been in the metals industry for years. It is probably made in china.
Our american made cloisone jewelery lasts much longer than your piece appears.

 

[High Plains Digger]

Now, let me tell you about some real art stuff. The end result is looking much like this piece but without the lines seperating the colors. I think it is called intarsia. The artist cuts length of rock and glues them together on the sides, using different colors and different shapes. Then when you cut across the end, it looks like this kind of piece, and he can cut how ever many that are exactly the same from the length of the glued stones he put together. It takes lapidary work, artistic talents, and lots of patience. Needless to say, I don't do that kind of thing.

 

[treasurehuntr2]

Thanks 4 the input 4X4!\
You as well, HPDigger....by the way.... just curious....Do you know what kind of glue is used in creating such a piece with stone that you referred to

 

[High Plains Digger]

No, I have never done it, and I don't have the tools or the talent. I used to know a guy in the rock club that did it. He moved and we are no longer members. I am sure there is information on the net. The hardest thing, I think, is to get the long pieces cut so that they all fit tight and smooth together.

 

[Got_4by4]

The best quality cloisone is usually baked! Not glued or painted.
When I was a scout, many many years ago, we used colored glass sand.
If you look at the first picture and the largest blue area it kinda looks cracked
not peeling. Sorta like little chips(glass-like). The raised lines around the
sections kept the material in so it wouldn't bleed and blend with the
color beside it. You can't always control the amount of material so you
would put in excess. Afterwards you would sand and polish the surface, much
like lapidary work. That is why good and old cloisone is worth more, because
of the work put into it.