Korean Silver Cloud Necklace - Inspirations and Techniques

The Korean Silver Cloud Necklace shown in the Keum-Boo section of the website was inspired by the Korean armor shown below, in particular the way gold chest pates were assembled and joined. The cloud pattern on the individual elements of the necklace was taken from the old Korean silver vessel also shown below. The necklace has a continuous design that transitions from one element to the next, as opposed to the repeating pattern on the armor chest pieces. Consistent with the oriental aesthetics, the design combines and balances the opposites: the masculine form and function of the armor combined with the soft and feminine cloud design. Somebody said that the design reminded them of an old map showing islands. I can go along with that too. The etched surfaces have a rippled appearance, like water, and the clouds, they can be islands in the sky. The necklace is executed in pure (99.9%) silver with 24-carat gold keum-boo accents. I made this necklace for a friend who is half-Korean.