From past to present: A closer look at the inspiration behind our latest Olympia designs
26.07.19

In 2016, we launched Olympia, home to modern handmade treasures inspired by Ancient Roman jewels, classical myths and Renaissance art, to sit alongside our famed vintage edit.

Recently, we launched three new earring styles, aimed at bringing a little beauty back into your winter wardrobe. Today, we're going into a little more detail into how the designs were dreamed up for these three made-to-order styles, which now join the current evergreen collection of 16 pieces.

ABOUT THE NEW DESIGNS

Cyprus and Melos were two places that ancient roman jewels were historically made, with evidence of such adornments dating back as early as 1AD. Uncovering examples of the beautiful artefacts designed during this period (many of them found in the ruins of Pompeii) took our founder and designer, Constance, down the path to create Olympia, and continues to inform her designs today. 


The Olympia Melos Earring, in Sterling Silver and Silver Blue Baroque Pearl, inspired by Ancient Roman Shepherd's Hook styles;  A pair of Roman gold earrings strung with lenticular garnet beads, circa 1st-3rd century, currently at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. 

“I love how the ancient Greek women wore jewels almost like armour rather than just to beautify," says Constance.

"The use of gemstones such as lapis and pearls from the Persian Gulf were often left in their natural state - raw and unique. 

 

The Olympia Deity Earring, in 18k Gold Plate and Natural Biwa Pearls; A braided gold and pearl Byzantine earring, circa 6th-7th century, currently at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, New York.

"Creating our Melos and the Deity styles were a long work in progress," says Constance.

"I found photos of ancient Roman jewels in a number of specialist books and museum records and thought they were so beautiful, raw and yet delicate looking and that took me on the journey to creating our three new styles."

As an example, the casually elegant Melos earring was inspired by a ‘Shepherd’s hook’ style created in 1AD.

Finished with our signature Olympia texture, six hand-picked silver blue baroque pearls are threaded onto the front - in ancient myth, blue pearls are said to harness courage, trust and tranquility.

The Deity Earrings feature a beautiful, unique pearl new to the Olympia collection called the Biwa.  They are a rare, irregularly long-shaped pearl, discovered within the freshwater mussels of Lake Biwa in Japan.

The Olympia Cypriot Earring, in 18kt Gold Plate and Natural Baroque Pearl; A stunningly intricate gold and crystal earring, circa 600-800 AD, currently in Florence.

The Cypriot earrings were a special client commission that once created, we decided to introduce to our main collection (with their blessing of course), as they are in keeping with the last two collections and our popular Annah and Buena hoops.  Featuring a large baroque white pearl representing beauty and sincerity, the Cypriot makes for a beautiful option for a bride or her bridal party.

All styles can be made to order in either solid sterling silver, gold plate or solid gold. Special requests can be made for blue or cream pearls.

Each Olympia by Love and Object jewel is lovingly handmade in Auckland, where metals and gemstones are set using antique wax casting techniques and heat-processed gold plating. This special approach is kind to the environment whilst making each piece one-of-a-kind.

Click here to shop Olympia now x

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