Tea Road: bronze jewelry collection

The collection of ethnical bronze souvenirs and jewelry, inspired by people and culture of Siberia, Asia and the Tea Road.

The Siberian Route or Tea Road was a historic route that connected European Russia to Siberia and China. Collection of bronze souvenirs which was inspired by Siberian Route and people, connected with tea culture.

All these souvenirs and jewellery crafted from bronze (Cu + 5% Sn, 6% Zn, 5% Pb).

Flat figures, 40x50 mm

Samovar (russian) — is a heated metal container traditionally used to heat and boil water. This figure demonstrates the final point of tea transportation from China to Russia. Samovar is the most vivid association with tea drinking in Russia.

Samovar

Kuday-Mergen Mergen (tatar language) — skilled hunter, archer, Kudai — territorial affiliation. This is an archer in the national costume, which accompanies the carts with a valuable cargo — tea — and serves as a guide in the way.

Kuday-Mergen

Ayal (kyrgyz language) — lady

The lady depicted refers to the countries of Central Asia (Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan). Central Asian tea drinking is characterized by pialas and special furniture: low table dastarkhan and low seats, each of which is called sufa.

Ayal

All these souvenirs and jewellery crafted from bronze by myself: from sketches to casting in 2014 as a bachelor project.

Necklaces, 20x30 mm

I was inspired by tea leaves and rosebay willow-herb. Metal parts can be combined into massive neck jewellery, or pinned on leather accessories, wool or costume.