Give a Little Whistle
Elva Fields
Just as Jiminy Cricket says, "Give a little whistle" when you find yourself in trouble. As a tried and true "safety first" kinda gal AND someone who adores the wondrous intersection of beauty, history, and craftsmanship, this whistle design gives me great peace of mind and joy of heart.
I found a treasure trove of these uncirculated, unused vintage 1970s whistles earlier this fall and fell instantly in love: cloisonné enamel is one of the most incredibly underrated and exquisite mediums, a dying art that never fails to inspire and awe.
It was the first assignment I was given as a student of ancient jewelry-making techniques at the Jewelry Arts Institute in graduate school, and I gained an even deeper appreciation for the skill and patience required for the art of cloisonné enamel. To oversimplify a complex process that dates back thousands and thousands of years, a wire or strip metal design is laid out on a metal base, creating cells or compartments (cloisons in French, for which the technique is named) into which colored vitreous bits, powder, or paste are/is placed. (Think of a 3D paint by number, in a way.) The object is heated, and the colored bits (enamel) then melt and spread to fill each section, becoming a beautiful, colorful overall pattern or design, the metal outline of each cloison visible in an elegant outline. It is highly detailed, precise work to form each tiny section and place each wire in position, to achieve the correct melting point without ruining the entire piece, and to then polish the design to a smooth and even finish. (Here's a video that shows the step-by-step process from a jewelry designer's studio.)
In short, these whistles are like tiny magical works of art. Each shows a stunning floral design within charming scalloped borders, and you can choose from a white ground with bright sky blue border and deep red flowers, black ground with jade green border and rosy pink flowers, or cobalt blue ground with jade green border and pink blooms. Each measures nearly 2" and suspends from a faceted raw brass beaded strand with a vintage hook and chain clasp that allows for necklace lengths ranging from 26.5 to 28" length.
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