The Cameo

Primary Purpose For Project:
Preserve a third generation heirloom of significant historical, sentimental and pecuniary value in a manner that will considerably reduce its chances of being lost, damaged, sold or forever entombed within the dark confines of a safety deposit box.

Solution:
Using the cameo as the primary focal point, design an elegant encasement that creates a symbiotic relationship wherein the cameo and the framework enhance the existence of one another to the degree that future generations will consider the two a singular piece of art never to be separated.

Design Concept:
Mounting the cameo on a black oval isolated against a vanilla field is intended to first attract the viewer’s eye from a distance and draw that individual to the framework for a closer inspection, much in the way one’s eye might be instantly drawn to a black ink spot on a white carpet or white sweater (Inkspot Design Theory.)  Then, the black background  serves to accentuate the delicate hand crafted filigree.  The final, but most important design element served by the black oval is that it geometrically isolates the subject from the surrounding angular landscape of the framework allowing the cameo to stand alone.

The raised carving sets atop a light umber translucent substrate  which,  when backlighted,  lends a richer look to the broach.  What might best be described as a “bridge mount” was developed  in order to  capitalize upon this unique feature allowing ambient light to sublight the subject, (more dramatically effective when illuminated under track lighting). This was accomplished using heat formed acrylic strips for the purpose of creating a mid-air mount.  The deep bevel wrapped liner assists in reflecting light across the back and underneath the cameo which is sewn through the clasp to the surface of a reversed beveled black suede oval opening. 

The wrapped vanilla oval provides a soft, feminine aperture for the lady with sufficient quiet space before transitioning to the weave.

The hand-woven struts introduce a manipulative design component subliminally compelling the viewer to become actively involved in the framework.  This is accomplished by continually redirecting the viewer’s eye to the cameo.

The weave should also lend a crafted and textured feel to the package in order to compliment the quality and delicate nature of the subject.  The spokes are interwoven and interlocked at all junctions serving to establish and maintain a sense of unity and cohesiveness that is not lost while the viewer explores the subject and all peripheral components of the framework individually.

The seven degree declination of the mount is designed to present the broach in a gentle, cradling support, in order  to eliminate any feeling of rigidity or tension that might have otherwise been transmitted should the spokes have maintained the same plane as the wrapped liner surfaces.