DESIGN NAME: Maize
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Hair Jewelry
INSPIRATION: A historical Mayan ceramic sculpture of a Maize God emerging from a flower is the main inspiration for this hair jewelry piece. The relationship between Mayan culture and Jade as jewelry is also strongly connected as symbolic and ritual to the deities. This Mayan history, culture and craftmanship inspired us to revive this ancient artistry, blending tradition with contemporary craftsmanship while still honoring Mayan heritage and spirituality.
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Maize is a hair stick crafted predominantly from Guatemalan Jade combined with Gold. The usage of the Guatemalan Jade is the strong focus of this creation to pay tribute and honoring the Mayan culture. Symbolizing power, status, luck, and eternity, Guatemalan Jade instills confidence in the wearer. Staying close to origin, the Maize God emerging from a flower, the design embodies new growth and regeneration, while its sturdy, boxy shape of the stick symbolizes strength and power.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: As a hair stick, Maize generally can be gentler compared to a hair pin, minimizing damage and breakage to the hair. Enhancing the volume and dimension to the wearer’s hair, Maize is also an adornment. Carved as a piece of jewelry, capturing the attention of the viewers.
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: Started in November 2023, will be completed by April 2024 in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.
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PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: Crafted by traditional jade carving techniques to build each individual piece of the petal and the statue, held altogether by unique shaped gold serving as both support mount and adornment. Attached to the gold stick as the core structure completed by the jade at the end, meticulously hand polished to meet jeweler-grade perfection.
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: Overall Dimension: 45 mm x 42 mm x 200 mm
TAGS: Jade, Gold, Maya, Guatemala, Jewelry, Hair
RESEARCH ABSTRACT: Guatemalan Jade, known as "green gold," was vital in Mayan culture. It symbolized power, adorning elites and featuring in religious rituals as a bridge to the spiritual. The association to the Maize God, the sustenance of life, and its durability represented eternal life and fertility inspire us to create a product that not only act as a adornment but also has an actual deep meaning for the wearer.
CHALLENGE: From brainstorming to finding the right balance between ancient culture and contemporary design take numerous trials and consideration. While crafting depends on the jewelers’ ability, we think with the correct tool such an advanced CNC machine will be the solution for our future production.
ADDED DATE: 2024-02-26 09:53:34
TEAM MEMBERS (1) : Design Director: Chou Wei Liang, Product Designer: Aditya Cipta Sugandha
IMAGE CREDITS: Images by Aditya Cipta Sugandha
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