EVE AS GOLDSMITH

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 147, 23 June 1928, Page 14

EVE AS GOLDSMITH

•-I - * :■ ■ Women have always loved gold, silver, and precious stones, but many of them are no longer content with just the wearing of fine jewellery or the proud '■ownership of > beautiful plate, says ti contributor to the London "'Daily Telegraph." To-day they work the soft metals aud set the brilliant-gems, in designs of their own croatioii. The productions of then- studios are -becoming noted for their delicacy of conception 'and skilled execution. So well do they;-work''indeed'that-it. is even possible that these women.pioneers may yet bring the neglected craft back to the high ■position it occupied in' the days of the master Cellini—days when the honourable trade of,the goldsmith ranked as a'fine art and: its'followers as artists. • • ■To.emulate these goldsmith. Eves no especial qualifications, are necessary beyond' ,n likiug for handicrafts and a sound- eye f of,appropriate design. Practical training can bo obtained in in the workshop of a high-class jeweller, but it is,far more desirable to take a metalcraft course at an authorised sch.ool whore modern mamifac-' tin-ing methods arc taught and yet the. ancient traditions of the craft are not lost sight of. '. Hero the girl student will learn to apply the principles of the old artists, to meetmodern 'requirements,'and to master the goldsmith's tools.- In these days when, dress and jewellery are so closely linked, the correct jewel is' often of primary importance to the success of the frock. Soil) tliecreation of fine dres? jewellery, the woman ■■goldsmith should find her opportunity. ' Here intrinsic value must play 'second- fiddle "to beauty—ant', with great' advantage to/the craftswoman For1, jade, onyx, aiirj butterfly wmgs'njay be lavishly, used to fike out the precious gems 'and gold. These less expensive materials, while giving greater scope foy the carrying out of newdecorative motifs.- naturally tend ■ towards keeping prices -within a wider range of pockets. . , Mven if the-woman goldsmith does not elect to put her abilities to professional use, the work can be'a charming and most satisfying hobby. Tt-is surely a delightful accomplishment to be able to contrive one's own dress jewellery. . Or, when a certain style falls out of fashion, to be able to melt. spin, hammer, and engrave the ornament until'!} new and perhaps even more attractive piece arises from the ashes of the old. ■ ' ''' .'