Elfrun Lach, Coral Amulet #2, Natural twig, enamel paint, 925 silver, silk cord
Talisman: an object, typically an inscribed ring or stone , that is thought to have magic powers and to bring good luck. – Oxford Dictionaries
Do you carry a lucky charm? Some sort of talisman that helps you feel safe, protected, always gets you a good parking spot? You’re not alone! Since the earliest times of human adornment, we’ve collected, made and worn talismans of good fortune, be they four-leaf clovers, rabbit’s feet, crosses or even the ubiquitous and vaguely confusing pet rock. I enjoy the thought that so many people have faith that life holds magic. It appeals to the part of me that still wants to believe in the fairies at the bottom of the garden. But even setting magic aside, we seem to be perpetually possessed by the need to reassure or ground ourselves through objects.
Now I’ve never seen myself as much of a lucky charm kind of girl. But looking back, I realise that very rarely have I been without a special shell on my desk, a smooth river stone in a pocket or some stacked rings on a finger; all things perfect for touching and tailor made for a little obsessive flipping, fiddling or spinning. These treasures of mine have nothing to do with luck, but rather feed an obsession with touch and texture that has always grounded me in the here-and-now, helping me to stay in the moment (a minor miracle for a professional day-dreamer/forward planner.) Perhaps they’re not lucky or magical, but still, to me, they’re charms, talismans of sorts.
But recently, my talismanic status changed. Just this week I became the proud owner and wearer of a genuine, honest-to-goodness talisman when my very own, very special lucky charm arrived in the post. Bid on with sniper-like precision in the Lucky Charm Contemporary Jewellery Fundraising Auction for the Red Cross, my talisman was made by fabulous Melbourne jeweller, Elfrun Lach. Being not only supremely talented but also exceedingly generous, she donated three pendants from her fantastic coral amulet series to the auction, and I have my hot little hands on number two!
Exhibited and collected widely, both nationally and internationally, Lach’s work is thoughtful and poetic. It springs from her research into the symbolism of red coral, a material often thought to have protective powers and with a rich history and controversial present in use for human adornment.
“My jewellery results from ongoing research into the historic use, depiction and symbolism of coral in connection with making contemporary artefacts. Coral is one of the oldest materials used for human adornment, and because of its difficulty to obtain, has been simulated throughout history by bone, glass, wood, porcelain and plastic.
The process of simulation, substitution of materials and the combination of precious and found objects is relevant to all my work. I want to generate readings concerning human interaction with the environment, and question the ethical use of materials and the nature of the real and the represented.” – Elfrun Lach
So as I wear my poetic pendant, rich with meaning and historical and contemporary significance, it feels like it’s doing its job. A job that every good talisman should: injecting a little magic, a touch of nostalgia and a good dollop of self-awareness. Isn’t that just about all I need to go ahead and make my own luck?
My Elfrun Lach pendant on the job
