A Kiwi ring like no other
A European artist has found himself a space behind Jens Hansen’s workbench and is recreating some of the Nelson jeweller’s classics.
The company has gained international recognition since it made the ‘‘One Ring’’ for the Lord of the Rings movies in 1999, drawing attention from many wishing to work under the eye of the jeweller family.
But it was French designer, illustrator and experimental jewellery maker Tony Furion who recently lucked out in securing a spot as artist in residence.
Amongst other new designs, Furion has created a unique conceptual ring based on the much-loved Golden Kiwi pendant. The ring is being launched four years after the pendant was released, when it was given by the city of Nelson to Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall.
Jeweller and son of company founder Jens Hansen, Halfden Hansen, said it had been great to see what Furion had come up with.
‘‘He has a fresh take on our designs – he sees things that we don’t see because we are so close to them. He has also been able to put his own style aside to get under the hood of what ours is.’’
Hansen said he was always being contacted from people around the world wanting to work in his workshop. Furion won him over with his ‘‘impressive’’ CV and design portfolio.
‘‘I thought I would give him some creative freedom to try to adapt existing Jens Hansen designs using different materials, gems or shapes.’’
Furion said looking through a photo book of classic Jans Hansen designs sparked the concept for the Silver Kiwi ring.
‘‘I was drawn to the timeless dome rings that Jens created decades ago. I experimented with designing something in that curved, bubble style that incorporated the kiwi from the muchloved Golden Kiwi pendant.
‘‘I wanted to create something abstract, but when you know it’s a kiwi, you can see its secret in a couple of different ways. It’s elegant and beautiful.’’
Furion was backpacking around New Zealand with his partner for six months when he fell in love with the Nelson region. The couple decided to find work locally, so he approached Jens Hansen due to its international reputation.
Before his New Zealand travels, he had been developing his jewellery skills for six years at a store in Morin, France, and had completed an apprenticeship in 2016 at France’s Jewellery Institute of Saumur.
Hansen said the new ring was ‘‘an amazing design’’.
‘‘I never thought about turning the Golden Kiwi pendant into a ring, but I let Tony roll with it to see what would happen. I am really glad I did.’’