Guest Author - Susan Dorling

"The animal shall not be measured by man. In a world older and more complete than ours they move finished and complete, gifted with extensions of the senses we have lost or never attained, living by voices we shall never hear. They are not brethren, they are not underlings; they are other nations, caught with ourselves in the net of life and time, fellow prisoners of the splendor and travail of the earth." Henry Beston (1888-1968) from The Outermost House

For anyone with an enduring passion for jewelry and the animal kingdom, collecting decorative art jewelry featuring animal motifs is a fascinating journey of discovery. From an early Cartier diamond-studded gold panther reflecting this famous jeweler’s passion for form, abstraction, geometry, and the animal kingdom (the first Cartier panther ‘arrived’ in 1914 and a vibrant and exquisite parade of owls, eagles, pigs, giraffes, herons, and snakes followed)—to Celtic jewelry heaped in symbolism rife with boars (masculine power), bulls (virility, sovereignty, and wealth), and dogs (archetypal symbols of shape-shifters)— to an Edwardian Deco era turkey fairly coming alive with delicious purple and lavender color and pizzazz—to the contemporary animal inspired wearable art by Laurie Stetzler— every mammal, bird, reptile, amphibian, marine animal, insect and arachnid one can possibly imagine has been represented in artfully crafted jewelry throughout the ages, in every culture and society.

Antique & Vintage Animal Jewelry
Both sentimentality and symbolism were major elements in Victorian jewelry. In the late 1800’s, Darwin’s controversial theories on evolution, as well as new exciting botanical discoveries of the day piqued interest in the natural world. Personal adornment reflected these new interests with jewelry created in forms of insects and animals. Therefore, combining our love of antique and vintage jewelry collecting along with animal motifs, there is a cornucopia of animal delights from the Georgian and Victorian ( Early Victorian and Romantic Era) eras waiting for us!

It was a time when jewelry could be read like books—the design so poignantly expressing the giver’s feelings and hopes. For example, dogs symbolized fidelity, butterflies symbolized the soul, and salamanders and lizards symbolized passionate love! Look for gorgeous gem-set butterflies, enameled beetles, silver monkeys, and even beautiful golden house flies! Throughout the eras some of these same creatures have been used over and over again incorporating the styles and workmanship of each different era's tastes.

Contemporary Animal Jewelry
For the discriminating collector of unique handmade contemporary animal jewelry, I am excited to share a recent lucky find, Laurie Stetzler’s Limited Edition and Custom Fine Art Jewelry. Laurie Stetzler’s meticulously handmade animal art jewelry and the diversity of her wearable art from necklaces, earrings, pendants, bracelets, and brooches to bolos and belt buckles reflects not only her love of animals but her compassion and reverence for all life and our natural world.

Her extraordinary body of work incorporates exquisite animal motifs—some reminiscent of the fabulous Art Deco era like the Leopard Pin featured here, some from mythology like the dramatic Roebuck Earrings and Necklace, her interpretation of the Bear Totem, Coyote Totem, and Horse Totem in sterling silver and Natural Sleeping Beauty Turquoise earrings and bolo, others pieces enchanting like the whimsical Cats on the Couch and other sophisticated and ever fashionable jewelry pieces all designed by the artist and masterfully hand-made from original design to finished piece. From hand-carving precious metal, cutting rare gemstones and hand-setting them, to lost wax casting, and other techniques that are supremely difficult and take years to master—this artist has been making jewelry and doing lapidary since she was sixteen. Laurie Stetzler draws her inspiration from what she calls the Spirit of the Universe and is most interested in interpreting the beauty of life—both the spiritual and the manifest.

Not surprisingly, Laurie Stetzler has always been interested in the technical aspects of jewelry, and working with precious metals offers her freedom of artistic expression. She views her jewelry not merely as personal adornment, but a powerful way in which she connects to those who wear her creations, drawing energies, healing, and hope. Laurie has shown her work in many national juried competitions, is carried in many national art/craft galleries, and has also exhibited in Japan. Laurie Stetzler’s Limited Edition and Custom Fine Art Jewelry is a must see for any jewelry lover who appreciates the artistic sensibility behind a true work of wearable art, and particularly for those of you who are passionate about animals and the jewelry that celebrates their fascinating complexity, diversity, and magnificence!