Intermission: Mom’s Vintage Chrysanthemum Necklace

I’ve been missing Mom today, thinking about her vivacity during her healthy times. The piece of vintage costume jewelry I have been wearing most is this die cut chrysanthemum pendant. Chrysanthemums are lovely traditional Chinese flowers and this stylized interpretation has the feel of an amulet. Although made of base metal, I appreciate the detail and quality of workmanship that went into this and so many of the older costume jewelry pieces I have seen. An artisan jeweler looked at this pendant recently and was describing how die cut jewelry is fashioned with strong force to cut the metal into the desired form. Now when I wear it I think of the physical power that went into its creation. It’s often the small details in the everyday items that you touch, wear and use which add an extra dimension of beauty to the mundane, and in this case, reminds me of the enduring compassionate spirit of my mother, keeping that feeling close at hand.Here is a somewhat blurred photo which gives you an idea of the scale of this piece when worn. The pewter gray provides neutrality with a shimmer and the circular, organic lines exude a feeling of balance and serenity. Thanks, Mom.