Thomas Labhart

JewelryObjects

Surfaces

For this project, I am "collecting" interesting surface structures of various kinds, both natural and man-made ones. After reproducing them in silver and synthetic material, they serve as motives for my jewelry.

Wellenspiel

(playing waves)
Hand ornament, ring, object
Silver 925, diameter 40 mm

Rain drops create little circular waves on quiet water surfaces which overlap and form fascinating wave patterns, so-called interference patterns. Could they possibly be reproduced in silver? The problem is that water is liquid and the wave patterns are constantly changing such that molding with plaster is impossible. But these wave patterns follow physical laws and can therefore be simulated mathematically. Using a computer program the interference pattern of two overlapping circular waves are calculated and visualized on the monitor as a virtual reproduction of the pattern. A snap-shot of the wave pattern is then reproduced in plastic by 3d-printing, representing a real reproduction of an interference pattern. It serves as a model for a silver replica by sand casting using the casting ring method. The cast spigot serves as an "achor" for the resulting hand ornament.

The motive Wellenspiel can also be mounted on a ring band, here oxydized black indicating deep, but not still, water.

Facetten

(facets)
Pendant
Silver 999, Fimo, Diameter 35 mm

The facetted surface of the two-sided pendant resembles an insect compound eye. Both sides of the pendant are replicas of the surface pattern on the body of an old iron teapot.

Litschi

(Lychee)
Hand ornament
Silber 925, Durchmesser 25 mm

The reddish skin (pericarp)of the lychee fruit is roughly textured with small sharp protuberances. Holding the fruit in your hand produces a pleasant tingle on the skin. The motiv of the hand ornament is a silver replica of the pericarp (sand cast). It shows best when positioned between two fingers (see photos), but it can also be mounted on a ring.