Grace and timelessness
- Věra handcrafts statement jewellery
- As a child, she made a set of glass bead rings
- She regularly trains young apprentices
The elegant simplicity of Věra Nováková's jewellery seems to originate in an ancient yet developed civilization. Precisely handcrafted pieces made of noble materials give a princely impression. Their exclusivity, however, isn't pretentious; the gratitude felt towards nature permeates her pieces. Natural materials, structures and shapes are elaborated by neat, cultivated techniques. Věra says of her inspiration: "I'm most influenced by the sea, archaic cultures, the Renaissance, secession, trends and Japan". Her work has typical features which reflect her ethos: the cuttlefish bone, gold, pearls, diamonds and other precious materials, the coexistence of traditional craft and an innovative approach. The result is immortal elegance.
Interview
- Why are your inspired by the sea?
- I’m fond of the sea because it's precious for me. I don't see it often, so I picked something that at least reminds me of it: the cuttlefish bone. It expresses what I like the most about my work: making the invisible world visible.
- How do you use it?
- Traditionally it’s cast as a negative mould. I do the opposite: I create a positive mould, a model. I lathe and grind it to the desired shapes. These serve as wax models for lost-wax casting. Once the pieces are cast, classic goldsmith methods follow.
- Do you combine tradition and innovation?
- I love both, and try to connect them in my creations. It results in a certain duality that causes a tension typical of my work. I always start with an experiment and then it ends as a more traditional object. Classic materials and methods, combine with unusual ideas.
- Why do you like the tension you create?
- It gives the piece an atemporal character. And that's what I want my jewellery pieces to bear. I do follow trends, but my own trend is timelessness. My products are designed to survive for more than one generation. They should be part of a heritage that touches its wearer in any era.
Věra Nováková is an expert artisan: she began her career in 2001
Where
Věra Nováková
