Return of the Weasel

This brooch is from an exhibition of work by Jane Dodd aptly called The Wild Winter Woods. Each piece in this magical series features an animal part attached to an 'antler' like form. The pieces are inspired by a Gothic form of candelabra called Leuchterweibchen, which are comprised of sculptural figures attached to antlers and horns and studded with candles, and which hung in the great halls of European houses. In adapting the Leuchterweibchen form to jewellery, Dodd has fashioned her own antler or horn shapes from fine woods and mother of pearl, to which she has attached animal parts rather than anthropomorphic forms. She has lovingly carved these in wax and then cast them in gold or silver. Many of the animals, from weasels to squirrels, clutch precious or semi-precious stones in a form of mysterious offering.