The concept of the talismanic hinged pendant is Tory Hughes'. She is, doubtless, the first person to have executed such an object in polymer clay.
My challenge was to think of a talisman and then to expand the pendant idea to an entire necklace related thematically and aesthetically. Next, I wanted to demonstrate sufficiency, at least, with the mechanics of the external hinge. And last, I wanted to utilize some of my collection of old trade beads in the project. This is the result. Because of the scarab motif, I've called this piece "Aida."
On the rear of the large pendant scarab is a nearly rubbed away OM symbol, lending to the talismanic aspect of the necklace. In Egyptian mythology, scarabs are linked to Atum, the bi-sexed creator god, and to the sun.
The OM symbol represents the Hindu Absolute, the omipresent, omipotent source of all.
The necklace and pendant are made of polymer clay. Each piece was rubbed repeatedly with various colors of acrylic paint and metallic powder, and then scratched, chopped, cut, and gouged to make it look very old and very worn. The hinges are made of aluminum wire painted with acrylic, and the beads are very old brass trade beads and commercial brass beads incised with a spiral, a very ancient symbol with multiple meanings including the path of Life (labyrinth), sun, hypnosis, galaxy, and, the dialectic process.
The disk at the top of the pendant and the two wedges in the bottom crescent represent carnelian. Used for the amulet Thet in ancient Egypt, carnelian was believed to protect the wearer from harm and to ensure safe travels and rebirth in the afterlife. The crescent represents the moon, the mineral silver, and Diana, goddess of the hunt.
