Qing Tong Ring with Padparadscha

When it comes to designing his jewellery, Yewn is influenced by the origins of both Chinese civilisation and China’s written word. For his Qing Tong 青銅 collection, he took his inspiration from bronze ritual vessels of the Xia 夏 (c.2100-1600 BCE), Shang 商 (c.1600-1050 BCE) and Zhou 周 (c.1050-256 BCE) cultures. By using the great and distinctive patterns of old, he has created jewels that are a bridge between contemporary design and past Chinese art. As the use of bronze ritual vessels became widespread, so did the rules that went with them: Who could use which form of utensil? And what motif may be placed on the vessel? Accordingly, a strict hierarchy was introduced, creating a highly structured society of privilege that was controlled from the emperor down. Piece-mould casting had been perfected during the Shang dynasty when large- scale bronze vessels with complex patterns were being made. Gradually this method was replaced by welding and inlay techniques during the Eastern Zhou 東 周 d