Can jewelry be more than mere ornament? Can it connect the wearer with archetypal forces and be a powerful tool for personal transformation? Robert Place says yes, and points out that throughout jewelry's 25,000 year history this has been its primary function.

The oldest jewelry known are strings of animal bones, teeth, claws, and shells that were, no doubt, meant to connect their wearer with the courage, strength, or beauty of the animal that they once belonged to. Even in this Palaeolithic jewelry we find many pieces of bone and ivory that are carved into likenesses of animals and mother goddesses to enhance their magical power. Because of its ability to be sculpted and form strong sensual components for jewelry, gold, which represented the radiance of the sun, became the first metal to be used by humans in spite of its being unsuitable for use as tools or weapons. Later the feminine, lunar metal, silver, and magical stones were added to the jewelers pallet. Jewelry has helped us to define what is valuable, precious, and sacred. It can be a protective amulet or be used as a talisman to secure good fortune, but it is most potent when it is a sculpted image of an archetype.

Archetype is a term used by the great Swiss psychoanalyst, Carl Jung. Jung discovered that there were common themes and characters in the mythology of all times and cultures. Each culture would give their mythical characters different names and costumes, but there existed an underlying personality that remained consistent, and their stories had common patterns and goals. He labeled these the archetypes. Jung also discovered that the archetypes spontaneously emerged in the dreams and fantasies of his patients, indicating that they are vital elements in the unconscious of each individual. In other words, the ancient gods and goddesses live inside of us, and wearing or associating ourselves with their images or symbols helps us to tap latent powers that they represent.

The following pieces of jewelry are designed by Robert M. Place together with his wife Rose Ann Place. The couple has been designing jewelry for over 20 years. Each design is carved or repoussed and chased (traditional hammering techniques) directly in metal. Then a mold is made, and the piece is cast in silver or gold using the ancient lost wax method.

Robert and Rose Ann have sold their work in most major craft fairs throughout the U.S. and in galleries in this country and abroad. For their jewelry and sculptures in precious metal, they were awarded a 1984-85 Crafts Fellowship from the New Jersey State Council on the Arts and the national Niche Magazine Award in 1990 and 1991. The couple's creations have been exhibited in The American Craft Museum, The New York State Museum, in other museums in the U.S. and Germany, and on the national Christmas tree in the White House in 1993. Their work has been featured in the German magazines Kunst & Handwerk and Gold & Silber; the Danish Magazine Manteia; the Australian magazine Craft Arts; and the following American magazines and newspapers: American Craft, Ornament, Lapidary Journal, Niche, Kaatskill Life, The New York Times, and The Star Ledger.

Their work in precious metal, like Robert's painting, is noted for its ability to capture the essence of myths, symbols, and archetypes. Because of this, each piece becomes a magical device for connecting its wearer with this internal creative essence.

TO ORDER:

Look through the pages of jewelry to find what you like. List the names of your selection; specify your choice of a brooch, a pendant, or earrings. List your complete name and mailing address. Total the amount and add $7.00 for shipping. New York State residence must add the appropriate local sales tax. You may pay by check or money order (make checks payable to Robert M. Place), or you may send your Visa or Master Card number with expiration date to:

Robert M. Place Designs
34 Moon Rd
Saugerties, NY 12477
or call 1(845) 246-0180
or e mail robroseplac@aol.com

or to use Pay Pal go to the bottom of the order page.