We’ve spent the week this far reflecting on the power of water. But not all water is bound to earth, and not all rivers are ordinary water.
On this day, we turn our attention toward the sky, and to the great river that arcs so bright and clear above us on these long wintry night: The River of Stars. Here, we call it the Milky Way, and other names, too. It should be exceptionally bright on this night, with temperatures plunging below zero and air as clear as glass and twice as sharp.
And so today we feature one of Wings’s newer works, one that has not been posted until now. It’s one that melds old and new, much like the stars we see along that great celestial river, stars so ancient that by the time we see their light, they are already gone. From its description in the Bracelets Gallery here on the site:
The River of Stars Wristband
The River of Stars flows like water across the night sky. Some call it the Milky Way; others, the bridge to the other world; still others, a way of connecting earth with the place where the spirits dwell, bringing dreams and visions, prosperity and life itself to those of us who follow its path from far below. Wings pays tribute to its path and power with this wristband, one that, like the River of Stars, links the present with a much older cosmos. It begins with six old silver conchas from his private collection, rolled ingot hand-cut in an eight-petaled blossom pattern each centered by an eight-pointed star pointing to all directions. The stars are created in the negative, in a sense: Rather than overlaying or stamping them, each is firmed simply by deep vertical lines hand-stamped upward from the inner edge of each petal in a graduating pattern; the lower lines touch the points, while the longer ones at the apex of each set create the points’ inner connecting angles. The result is a series of stars that stand out in sharp relief, the lines creating an extraordinary ray-like quality emanating from their edges. Each concha is lightly domed in the traditional fashion, with a loop soldered onto the back, then strung in sequence onto a narrow strip of thick brown-black leather hand-beveled at either edge. Hand-punched holes permit a broad range of adjustment of the ranger-style buckle and keeper closure; a narrow hand-beveled leather thong is woven through the loop to form the traditional tie. Wristband measures 13″ in total length and adjust to fit nearly any wrist, large or small; conchas are slightly wider than they are high, and measure 15/16″ across (dimensions approximate). Other views shown at the link.
Sterling silver; leather
$375 + shipping, handling, and insurance
RESERVED
This is a work that is deceptively simple, a spare leather band that carries along old spirits in the shape of conchas, silver shells that here assume the form of stars. It is elemental in effect, bringing together avatars of earth, air, fire, and, yes, water. It also evokes the imagery of visions, the feel of dreams.
It shows us that rivers come in many forms, and so does the power we associate with water. It reminds us that that which is old does not lose its value with age; indeed, its very existence may only become apparent to us once it travels to worlds beyond our reach. The River of Stars is light at once old and new, and it shines upon our path with one illuminating glow.
~ Aji
All content, including photos and text, are copyright Wings and Aji, 2016; all rights reserved. Nothing herein may used or reproduced in any form without the express written permission of the owners.
