Showcase

The crystal palace

Tabitha kent

I am a jewellery designer and maker who has worked in a variety of mediums. my work is entirely handcrafted recognising the importance of keeping handcraftmanship alive alongside the developing technology driven world.

I am a jewellery designer and maker who has worked in a variety of mediums. my work is entirely h...

The Industrial Revolution in 19th-century Britain lit up the prosperous Victorian era with modern technology. Tabitha’s jewelleries are inspired by industrial materials – iron and glass – that forged the magnificent Crystal Palace in 1851, and its majestic craftsmanship. She uses techniques such as glass carving to transform elements like steam engines and crystal fountains into wearable devices. Her works are entirely handmade, rejecting mechanical replication and responding to the spirit of craftsmanship that lies behind technological progress through visible structure and functionality.

Interpretative text by Olivia Chan, BA (Hons) Culture, Criticism and Curation

Final work

A bracelet made of glass and metal with a box clasp and hinge mechanism inspired by the crystal palace building and steam engine.

Steam engine bracelet

The steam engine bracelet was made to celebrate both the crystal palace building and the invention of the steam engine in the prosperous Victorian period, it embodies the heavy use of machinery at the time by being made from thick sheet metal like the machines were made up from and displaying vivid traditional jewellery mechanisms In order to represent their functionality.

The bracelet made of copper and glass represents the materiality of the iron and glass building. and is made entirely by hand demonstrating the importance of keeping handcraftmanship alive in modern day.

  • A boxed ring with panels of glass embedded on every side.
  • a ring with 4 glass square faces shown on a hand
Repetitive glass panelled necklace

Panelled necklace

The panelled necklace is inspired by the repetitive rectangular glass panels that made up most of the buildings structure. The piece apart from the glass aspects is made entirely of square wire and cut into rectangular forms which resonates the rectangular line work that the building is made up from. The necklace is intentionally made up of an excess of metal to glass ratio giving the piece a more heavyweight feel in order to echo the heavyweight metal machinery that was housed in the great exhibition. The piece is made entirely by hand highlighting the importance of keeping handcraftsmanship alive alongside the development of machinery.

  • boxed glass ring with a silver box outline on either side
  • a glass boxed ring with a silver outline

Research and process

  • a selection of work showing the handmaking process of bracelet
  • a selection of work showing the glass carving for the steam engine bracelet
  • a selection of work showcasing the making process of necklace
  • a selection of work showing the design development including drawings by hand and technical drawings using adobe illustrator
  • a selection of work showing technical drawing of the box ring
  • technical drawings and process of the half and half ring

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The crystal palace

The Industrial Revolution in 19th-century Britain lit up the prosperous Victorian era with modern technology. Tabitha’s jewelleries are inspired by industrial materials – iron and glass – that forged the magnificent Crystal Palace in 1851, and its majestic craftsmanship. She u...

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