Brooch thumbnail 1
Brooch thumbnail 2
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Jewellery, Rooms 91, The William and Judith Bollinger Gallery

Brooch

2000 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

While many contemporary jewellers have turned away from conventional jewellery materials such as gold and platinum, Giovanni Corvaja in this brooch demonstrates how the intrinsic beauty of these metals may be re-interpreted and expressed by a new generation of jewellers. The precise geometric framework of the brooch's outline contrasts with the web of incredibly fine platinum threads specked with granules of gold which swirls within. Of the themes underlying his work Corvaja has written 'My inspiration lies in both natural and man-made structures viewed through a microscope.... I am also further inspired by technique itself and the creative possibilities which emerge when knowing how to apply it, researching it further and, eventually pushing it to extremes'.

Trained in Padua, an Italian city renowned for its innovative work in gold, and then at the Royal College of Art in London, Corvaja's technical mastery and artistic vision are widely admired.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Gold and platinum wire
Brief description
Hexagonal brooch of gold and platinum, its geometric framework containing a swirling mass of fine platinum wire decorated with granules of gold.
Physical description
The three-dimensional framework of the brooch, based on hexagons and six-pointed stars, is made of slender rectangular rods of 18 carat gold. Within the internal spaces and attached to the diagonal rods is a swirling mass of platinum wire, each strand as fine as a hair. Melted onto the wires and caught up in the apparent tangle, are numerous small granules of 24 carat gold. At the back of the brooch is the pin or fastening, bent to follow the line of the top of the hexagon.
Dimensions
  • Height: 7.1cm
  • Width: 7.1cm
  • Depth: 3.7cm
Style
Production typeUnique
Marks and inscriptions
  • G. Corvaja 2000 (Signature and date)
  • 9 ERFURTER SCHMUCKSYMPOSIUM 2000 (The piece was made at the ninth jewellery symposium in Erfurt, Germany, in the year 2000)
  • 750Au 999Au 950Pt *384PD (The first three indicate 18 carat gold; 24 carat gold; platinum. The final number, preceded by a five-pointed star is a state registration number (PD is for Padova/Padua))
Object history
Corvaja fabricated the platinum wire and the gold granules in his studio in Padua but the brooch was completed while he was at a two-week symposium / workshop in Efrurt, Germany - the 9th Erfurter Schmucksymposium.
Summary
While many contemporary jewellers have turned away from conventional jewellery materials such as gold and platinum, Giovanni Corvaja in this brooch demonstrates how the intrinsic beauty of these metals may be re-interpreted and expressed by a new generation of jewellers. The precise geometric framework of the brooch's outline contrasts with the web of incredibly fine platinum threads specked with granules of gold which swirls within. Of the themes underlying his work Corvaja has written 'My inspiration lies in both natural and man-made structures viewed through a microscope.... I am also further inspired by technique itself and the creative possibilities which emerge when knowing how to apply it, researching it further and, eventually pushing it to extremes'.

Trained in Padua, an Italian city renowned for its innovative work in gold, and then at the Royal College of Art in London, Corvaja's technical mastery and artistic vision are widely admired.
Bibliographic reference
Jacqueline Ryan/ Giovanni Corvaja, Art Jewellery. Gioelli d'arte, The Scottish Gallery, Treviso 1999
Collection
Accession number
M.5-2004

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Record createdOctober 4, 2004
Record URL
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