The primary source behind this collection is British Library MS Sloane 1975, a late 12th-century illuminated manuscript (ca. 1190) containing Sextus Placitus’ De medicina ex animalibus. Unlike conventional moralizing bestiaries, this text treated animals through the lens of medieval medicine, remedies, and animal lore. The illustrations are stark, raw, and full of that unmistakable Romanesque energy.
I am turning these historical creatures into a collection of 18 wearable artisan designs — enamel pins, pendants, earrings, and a few rings.
Nothing here is outsourced to commercial badge factories. The entire workflow happens by hand in my studio:
- Cutting and deep-engraving the solid brass bases with a fiber laser.
- Chemical and mechanical cleaning of the recesses down to bare metal.
- Hand-filling each cavity with solvent-based cold ceramic enamel using micro-needles.
- Curing the enamel fully over several days.
- Manual wet-sanding through progressively finer sandpaper grits with water to bring the metal contours flush with the enamel.
- Hand-polishing with microfiber cloths and polishing compounds to reveal the natural luster of raw brass.
Below is an early physical prototype. Is it the legendary, human-faced Leucrota or a delightfully weird medieval Lion? With 12th-century scribes, the line is wonderfully blurry — but the grin on its face is undeniable (yes? :) ).
Launching very soon.
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