Temple of Heaven Girandole earrings in silver. The Emperor of China was regarded as the son of Heaven, responsible to the celestial power for success or failure of his government. The Ming Dynasty built the Temple of Heaven in about 1530, and it was the detail of circles and squares that decorate the roof edge of the temple that inspired these earrings. From the Journey to China.
Each earring measures approximately 47mm in length.
Temple of Heaven
"Of all Peking's enchanting sights, the beauty of the Altar of Heaven is the hardest to describe. It's sublime austerity is mocked by words. It is what it is - the most fitting architectural expression of man's highest aspirations in the world" - John Blofeld: City of Lingering Splendour, 1961
'I have always found this quote the best description of the magical building that is The Temple of Heaven. The geometric patterns on the ends of the roof tiles led me to sketch out the idea of the Temple of Heaven earrings. It was important that each section should move, so the little links needed to be strong, yet discreet.
It takes a brave jewellery designer not to fill every part of a design with stone or gold. To leave 'air space', as we call it in the workshop, is when a design is good enough, bold enough, strong enough, that you can start to take away the gold and leave space. In this design: space is the luxury.
Silver
Silver is the most malleable of metals and when freshly polished takes a mirror like shine. All of the sterling silver used in Cassandra Goad jewellery is of the highest quality and crafted in one of our workshops in London. Cassandra always finds her silver from sustainable sources and where possible recycles the metal; never compromising on quality.
If you would like to have this design crafted bespoke for you in another metal - yellow, white or rose gold - please contact us and we will be delighted to make this for you. In some designs we can also mix metals in the same design.
Craftsmanship and Sourcing
All Cassandra Goad jewellery is designed and made in the
workshops in London.
As a gemmologist, the chemical composition and properties of
gemstones have always fascinated Cassandra. Ever in search of the
unusual and rare, she travels the world to source beautiful
gemstones, either in the rough or cut form. The craftsman works as
an artist recreating the design in metal, his interpretation is
vital to the overall feel of the jewel. The jewel is then mounted,
assayed , polished and set. Many of Cassandra's jewels can be hand
engraved with a personal message to make a unique bespoke gift.
In China, Cassandra designed her Qin and Han collection, interpreting the warring factions in opposing colours of gemstones. Butterflies of diamonds, sapphires and emeralds inspired on the 18th century Chinese wallpaper became necklaces and tiaras. Cassandra was overwhelmed by the Temple of Heaven- its geometric roof shapes becoming a pair of earrings.
