In Lithuania, shapes of wheat, rye, seeds, sun symbols, certain stones (amber), folk songs, woven textiles and costumes, all contribute to the country’s rich cultural history and identity. The reason that the symbols of wheat and rye continue to resonate with Lithuanian people is because they are closely connected to land, climate and agriculture. Until recently, the country operated under a predominantly agrarian economy and therefore elements associated with sun, growth, and crops, such as wheat, rye signified independence and an instinct to survive, often under oppressive regimes. As with many folk arts, Lithuanian traditions are considered obsolete, their meanings subsumed in modern forms of technology and mass production. However, unlike current art and design practice, this body of work explores deeply Lithuania’s heritage, with each piece carrying meanings relevant to previous folkloric stories. The series of designs presented here are intended to evoke these important and significant meanings in jewellery objects, representative of national and cultural identities of the past and formed by contemporary aesthetics.

(Materials used: brass, precious metal gold-plated in 24k.) 

If you are interested to purchase any of the pieces from this collection, please do not hesitate and contact me.