A friend of mine commissioned me to make a set of absinthe spoons as a gift for his brother. I was eager to take on the project and took some time to research the utensils before starting. An absinthe spoon is a type of cocktail strainer that is used in the ritual of pouring absinthe through a sugar cube. Most are abstract filigreed grilles that lay flat across the rim of a glass. I took the filigree idea and added my own twist. I'm not a religious person but I have always been fascinated by religious iconography. I created abstract designs based on the three highest orders of the hierarchy of angels: the Seraphim, the Cherubim, and the Ophanim.
I started with a sheet of silver onto which I transferred my designs. Piercing pilot holes in the sheet created new constellations - part of me wanted to leave it like this!
Each phase of piercing and sawing created striking objects. Every time I thought I might be done I would file a little more, and as the filigree became more delicate, the angels took flight.
Seraphim - six winged, caretakers of the throne of God.
Cherubim - four faced, guardians of the light and the stars.
Ophanim - fiery wheels of the throne of God.
I started with a sheet of silver onto which I transferred my designs. Piercing pilot holes in the sheet created new constellations - part of me wanted to leave it like this!
Each phase of piercing and sawing created striking objects. Every time I thought I might be done I would file a little more, and as the filigree became more delicate, the angels took flight.
Seraphim - six winged, caretakers of the throne of God.
Cherubim - four faced, guardians of the light and the stars.
Ophanim - fiery wheels of the throne of God.
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