Six-Petalled Lotus Flower - Yukata Brooch
Artist: Ursula Vourvoulis
Materials: Sterling and fine silver, copper, vitreous enamel, steel pin stem
Dimensions: 2 3/8" x 2 3/8" x 1/4" inches
Fabric Motif: The six-petalled lotus flower is the symbol of the sacral chakra. The petals represent the qualities a person must overcome to become pure: anger, hatred, jealousy, cruelty, desire, and pride.
Haiku: sacred blue lotus
opening
to what’s inside
- Leslie Umans
About the Work: "My favorite thing about my Yukata fabric selection was the graphic and gestural design, which I decided would be best featured with the cloisonné enamel technique. The shape I chose is based on Japanese tsuba designs, which are traditional metal sword guards.
For this piece, fine silver wires are laid out in the design and fired onto a base coat of enamel on a sawn out copper shape. Then the cells created are filled with the color vitreous enamel and fired many times before stoning down the surface until flush and a final firing to create the gloss finish.
The back is two layers of hammer textured silver, riveted together and with soldered on prongs, a bail for a chain ( for an option to wear as a pendant) and a double pin stem to wear as a brooch."
Ursula Vourvoulis Bio: I have always been intrigued by how the things that I find beautiful are made. Nothing is more interesting to me than the challenge of putting together something I have envisioned. From learning to sew as a young girl, to dabbling in various crafts over the years, the processes are always fascinating.
Two careers, first as an art director in magazine publishing, the second in architectural art glass, allowed me to collaborate with creative people in many aspects of art and craft, which was a constant source of inspiration.
Later, through exploring metal smithing I found my passion for the art of enameling. The ability to add color and so many interesting techniques to my love for making brooches, and more recently for fabricating vessels, has expanded the possibilities.
My regular inspirations are the colors and forms of flora and fauna, contrasted sometimes by the shapes of the built world around us. To paraphrase the famous Nora Ephron quote about copy: Everything is inspiration!"
This piece is part of the Yukata Inspired 2025, a collaborative exhibition between Okan Arts & Danaca Design featuring jewelry and metalwork alongside Haiku from Haiku Northwest. Learn more and view the entire collection HERE.
