Musubiba Knotted beech leaves Enamel Necklace

"Musubiba" iconic pendant is based on the motif of "knotted beech leaves" that overlap and form shadows. The soft, vivid green of the beech leaf is colored by firing enamel (glass glaze). The left leaf is matte Plique-à-jour enamel with stained glass-like watermarks in the glass between the veins, and the matte texture gives it a gentle impression. The leaf on the right is made with a technique called Basse-tille enamel, which allows you to enjoy the delicate texture of the leaves carved under the fired glass. The two representative European enameling techniques, "Plique-à-jour and basse-taille," are lavishly applied to a single item, allowing the wearer to enjoy the three-dimensional shape of the leaves as well as the delicate gradation of the enameling. About the enameling technique Our work uses the European enameling technique used for jewelry from the Art Nouveau period, an artistic movement that spread mainly in France and Belgium from the end of the 19th century to the beginning of the 20th century. Plique-a-jour is a technique in which enamel glaze is fired inside a metal frame cut out in the shape of a openwork. It requires a very high level of skill because the enamel can peel off or crack due to the thermal expansion of the glaze during firing or due to the temperature difference after the kiln is removed. Because the enamel is held in place by only a small amount of base metal at the edges, beautiful effects are created when light is allowed to penetrate, as in the use of stained glass. This technique, in which the glaze is repeatedly fired to fill in the spaces, is created by a highly advanced openwork technique that creates patterns with delicate lines, and a painstaking process of repeatedly firing and polishing the glaze to create the desired color. Basse-tille enamel is a technique in which a fine engraving pattern is applied to the base metal, and the pattern is carefully covered with a transparent glaze and fired so that the pattern rises to the surface. The surface of the base metal, which is designed and shaped, is then covered with a variety of glazes and fired in a kiln at approximately 800°C. After the glaze is applied, the surface is polished to enhance the color effect. The transparency of the enamel in combination with the advanced engraving technique produces a unique beauty that cannot be found anywhere else. Outline of the work Materials: silver (body and metal fittings), enamel (cloisonne), stainless steel (oval jamp rings for leather strap) Size: 3.3 cm (length) X 1.8 cm (width) The back side of the necklace is stamped with the brand name and the material of SILVER. About the necklace A 45cm cowhide leather necklace is included. It can be changed to a 925 silver cable chain (45cm with a length-adjustable slide part) for +1000 yen. Please choose your favorite option. About the case A wooden round case is included with the piece. (External dimensions of the case: diameter approx. 4.2 cm x height approx. 3.8 cm) Inside the case is a natural cushioning material called mokumen, made of thinly shaved wood, to protect the product. The case will be shipped with the Atelier Musubiba logo sealed in wax and tied with thread.