Enamel and Sterling Geometric Pin

Ginny Whitney is an impeccable craftsperson whose Deco-inspired cloisonné enamels are post-modern and perfectly made. This pin, 1-1/2″ diameter, is set in darkened sterling with decorative sterling elements that repeat and balance the geometric form of the enamel itself.

Cloisonné enameling is a painstaking technique of ‘drawing’ a design with thin fine silver wire on copper or fine silver, filling the resulting cells or ‘cloisons’ with powdered enamel pigments, then firing at high temperature to create the glass enamel that results. Most cloisonné requires multiple firings and fillings. Whitney finishes hers with a stone-ground polish by hand to create the matte finish that is a signature of her work.