I was inspired to make this brooch after seeing the Tara Brooch, which was believed to be discovered in August 1850 on the beach at Bettystown, near Laytown, north of Dublin, Ireland and dates back to 700AD. It is a highly ornate, pseudo-penannular brooch, with a long pin which is connected to the main brooch by a chain.
The main circular part of the brooch is made with copper wire of varying gauges, which I have secured together with contrasting weaves in an asymmetrical design. The decorated terminals are made with rough nuggets of Tourmaline, framed with copper wire and swirls of woven wire.
The pin has a fan of 3 tourmaline rough nuggets which are interspersed with layers of woven wire, with a centrally placed tourmaline oval. The pin is connected to the brooch with a length of double viking knit chain, made with very thin copper wire. The chain is finished with 2 handmade copper wire caps and solid copper Bali beads.
The brooch measures 1 3/4' across (from one side to the other) and 2 1/8' tall (from the bottom of the loop to the top of the terminal). The pin is 3 2/3 long. The chain is 4 1/4' long (from loop to loop).
I have oxidised this piece to really highlight the detail.
The last image in the sequence shows you how the brooch looks when worn.