Dorothea King | West African Diamond Jazz

Artist:  Dorothea King

Materials: Copper & Silver Diamond Pattern Argentium-Silver back. Mokume-gane

Dimensions: 1-1/2 x 3 x 3”

Origin of featured materials: Shining Wave Metals / Phillip Baldwin

Story behind the piece:  As soon as I saw this Diamond Pattern piece of Mokume-Gane, I  immediately was reminded of all the patterns I admired while living in Togo, West Africa years ago.   

I found the Royal Samidare pattern/batch of the Mokume-gane was difficult to drill because of its many metals so densely forged.  When cold forging, I noticed the mix of the metals each have different properties and how they move and expand together. Even though it can present a bit of difficulty in working with Mokume-gane, it’s totally worth the effort!  Each of Philip Baldwins Mokume-game patterns are unique and so beautiful, that I feel honored to work with such precious metals.  I have enjoyed the challenge and found in particular, the Royal Samidare’s beauty definitely outshines its might!

Artist Bio: Dorthea Elizabeth King lives in Seattle, Washington and works at Haute Torch Studio creating jewelry and metalwork. Since my first welding class in high school, I realized my creative ideas could come to life in metal and was lit from within. Heat with a spark of creativity can produce work that lasts the tests of time. Using techniques shared down through the ages, from one artisan to another,  truly, as a metalsmith & an enamelist, I have found my tribe! I feel fortunate enough to have studied both enameling and metalwork at San Diego State before the enameling department was closed. 

This piece is part of, From Wave to Shining Wave: a Celebration of Phil Baldwin and Shining Wave Metals Baldwin. The exhibition is presented in collaboration with the Seattle Metals Guild. 5% of sales will be donated to help fund an endowment at Pendland in Phillip Baldwin’s name. Learn more HERE. All work will remain on exhibit through July 20, 2025.

📂 [View the entire collection HERE ]

ℹ️ [Learn more about the exhibition HERE]