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Baroque Harmony

Zehra Nensey

Profile picture of Zehra Nensey

Inspired by baroque style, finishes and textures-my ambition is to include this design style within my practice and continue to make with pearls and other precious materials to create innovative jewellery.

Inspired by baroque style, finishes and textures-my ambition is to include this design style with...

The nurturing nature of an oyster or scallop shell is often forgotten beside the lustre of the pearl held within. Zehra connects the prestige of a pearl to its otherwise unused shell, where pieces created from just the contour of the shell can become recognisable to the viewer. Incorporating the shell in the jewellery required delicate shaping to avoid altering its true nature. Adapting the elegance of the baroque style, the rough shells, gleaming pearls, fluid brass and lustrous gold plate are used to support and highlight each other's beauty.

Interpretative text by Marta Lopes de Vasconcelos, BA (Hons) Culture, Criticism and Curation

Final work

  • 18 carat gold-plated brass with freshwater pearls necklace and earring photographed on the body
  • 18 carat gold-plated with freshwater pearl earring photographed in an oyster
  • 18 carat gold-plated chain and earrings with freshwater pearls photographed on the body
  • 18 carat-gold plated with baroque pearls earring photographed in an oyster
  • 18 carat gold-plated earring with baroque and keshi pearl photographed in an oyster
  • 18 carat gold-plated brass and freshwater pearls ring photographed on the hand
  • (Left to Right): 18 carat gold-plated brass with freshwater pearls rings photographed on the hand
  • Oyster shell & brass earring photographed on the body

Research and process

Pictures of oyster shells from the market and scallop shells, along with samples created on the stone cutter

Oyster Shell & Scallop: Building a Foundation with Sampling & Testing

I collected & cleaned oyster shells from Borough Market and sourced scallop shells, from which I created samples on the stone cutter, experimented with inserting pearls, polishing the shells, cold connection and creating small figures.

Images of creating with wax and pearls on shells, which are then turned into metal

Wax & Shells: Creating Jewellery

Creating with wax on the shells is an essential part of my design process. Each piece in my collection places emphasis on a specific part of the oyster, highlighting it's features and holding the pearls.

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Baroque Harmony

The nurturing nature of an oyster or scallop shell is often forgotten beside the lustre of the pearl held within. Zehra connects the prestige of a pearl to its otherwise unused shell, where pieces created from just the contour of the shell can become recognisable to the viewer...

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