Sunburst solar necklace | retailer large silver sun with raw lapis lazuli, sand-cast pewter handmade rustic statement necklace

A large solar sunburst focal with raw pale blue lapis lazuli bead hanging alongside.

The sunburst is sand cast in lead and nickel free pewter from an antique horse brass. Ornamental horse brasses, used on harnesses or for display, retailer were very popular in England in the mid 19th century. Their origins (Ancient Rome and medieval England), are almost certainly talismanic and amuletic. This is reflected in the symbols you find on many horse brasses, in amongst the more mundane brasses of windmills and castles! For example, many feature crescent moons, stars and suns. When I did a google lens of this one, I found a very similar piece in the British Museum; an Asante soul disc (you can see and read about it here: https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/E_Af1900-0427-11). While it seems unlikely that the horse brass I used for my inspiration was based on an African cultural artefact, it is testament to universality of some symbols.

Sand casting is a technique dating back centuries (in fact the Asante soul disc was probably sand cast). The process involves creating a shape (mold) in the packed sand - I add the piece's unique texture, at this point in the process - and pouring in molten metal. Once the metal has cooled, I add additional texture and patina to create dimension and depth. Unlike batch casting, or casting into a silicon mold, the sand mold can only be used once. It is an intensive handmade process and the finished piece is unique.

Necklace Length: 16 inches (41 cm).
Strung on heavy gauge stainless steel chain.
Focal Length: 3 1/2 inches (9 cm) from the top to bottom.
Weight: around 180 grams (6.3 ounces).

Care:
Pewter is a relatively soft metal that has been used for jewelry and adornments dating back to Ancient Romans, Egyptians and Celts. While pewter does not tarnish like some metals it will darken and dull down when not worn - simply buff with a polishing cloth or fine steel wool to bring the shine back up. I oxidize my pieces with a dark patina, which brings out the textures, and seal with a natural wax polish (the black patina may, occasionally, transfer to your skin when first worn; this is quite harmless and easily removed with soap and water).