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LOVE it or loathe it, there’s no denying that Damien Hirst’s infamously engraved diamond encrusted human skull is one of the most talked about pieces of the modern age.
Yet whilst its $100m price tag continues to encapsulate an audience, the significance of the piece is understated and nothing short of priceless courtesy of its historic African origin.
Unbeknown to most post-festive high-street shoppers, and perhaps even Hirst himself, what was once seen as a rather contentious and outlandish piece of art is now finding its way into an increasingly more common lore marketplace.
Yet whilst its $100m price tag continues to encapsulate an audience, the significance of the piece is understated and nothing short of priceless courtesy of its historic African origin.
Unbeknown to most post-festive high-street shoppers, and perhaps even Hirst himself, what was once seen as a rather contentious and outlandish piece of art is now finding its way into an increasingly more common lore marketplace.
Recent genetic and fossil data available (source: National History Museum) suggest humans originated in Africa about 200,000 years ago. This provides more evidence to suggest that modern human behaviour, such as art, symbolism and complex burials, originated in Africa earlier than previously thought and did not reach Europe until much later.
It also shows that long lasting and widespread bead and skull-working traditions associated with early modern humans extended through Africa to the Middle East well before comparable evidence appeared in Europe. But for on-line retailer, faithjewellery.co.uk, the industry is on course to go full-circle and return to its cultural roots with new faith gemstones increasingly becoming ‘big business’. What’s more, it’s a trend that’s set to stick around for quite a while.
“Fashion designers are continually inviting us to be more individual, and the affordable prices of some retailers allows that to be possible,” says David Fenton, co-owner of faithjewellery.co.uk. “In today’s retail market, there is a growing desire to accessorise everything, so buyers’ are looking for something a bit different.
“The great thing about new faith gemstones is that they offer style, innovation and help people to engage with their friends or colleagues without others feeling as though they’re preaching to them.
“So much about people’s faith as oppose to their fashion preference is misconstrued, which is why a new form of spiritual artwork has been born to represent a wider market.”
It also shows that long lasting and widespread bead and skull-working traditions associated with early modern humans extended through Africa to the Middle East well before comparable evidence appeared in Europe. But for on-line retailer, faithjewellery.co.uk, the industry is on course to go full-circle and return to its cultural roots with new faith gemstones increasingly becoming ‘big business’. What’s more, it’s a trend that’s set to stick around for quite a while.
“Fashion designers are continually inviting us to be more individual, and the affordable prices of some retailers allows that to be possible,” says David Fenton, co-owner of faithjewellery.co.uk. “In today’s retail market, there is a growing desire to accessorise everything, so buyers’ are looking for something a bit different.
“The great thing about new faith gemstones is that they offer style, innovation and help people to engage with their friends or colleagues without others feeling as though they’re preaching to them.
“So much about people’s faith as oppose to their fashion preference is misconstrued, which is why a new form of spiritual artwork has been born to represent a wider market.”
ABOVE: A Faith Jewellery skull pendant crafted in contemporary white gold and encrusted with 26 points of real black and white diamondsAppetising examples of new faith gemstones have already been seen on music icon Madonna, who was recently boasting an impressive diamond skull and crossbones pendant. Whereas former England footballer David Beckham was photographed wearing a skull necklace - both further evidence in a move away from more traditional high-street pieces.
By any admission, Hirst’s dazzlingly diamond skull offering may neither be affordable or practical, yet it remains at the forefront of lavish gemstone creations. What’s more, it remains one-step ahead of Marie Antoinette’s seemingly sumptuous pearl necklace, which failed to capture the same interest at Christie’s before Christmas [2007].
By any admission, Hirst’s dazzlingly diamond skull offering may neither be affordable or practical, yet it remains at the forefront of lavish gemstone creations. What’s more, it remains one-step ahead of Marie Antoinette’s seemingly sumptuous pearl necklace, which failed to capture the same interest at Christie’s before Christmas [2007].
