Object D’art is another category not unlike the fantasy category.
The meaning of Object D’art is a work of art or artwork where the design is created or valued for an artistic rather than a practical function.
The word Object D’art came into the English language during the 20th century to describe modern or post-
modern art, although the French had been using the word a lot longer in the context of decorative art ... i.e. Faberge Eggs.
It is a word that is considered to fulfil an independent or aesthetic function.
Anything that does not conform to traditional artistic conventions may qualify for this genre.
It is representative of an artist’s technical skill and/or artistic caprice.
Wearability like the fantasy category is frequently not the main concern.
Beauty, distinctiveness and above all uniqueness and an appropriate name are what it is all about.
There is a professional and non-professional category with a trophy and voucher for the winner and a highly commended certificate.
The design and workmanship must be the entrants own work, and the opal must be freeform or undulating surface.
For non-professionals there is a statutory declaration to sign which is on the back of the entry form attesting that you have had no formal training and the workmanship is yours alone.
With bookings for tickets to the award’s gala dinner flying out the door don’t miss out and be disappointed.
Make up your party and ring Lyn Carney on 6829 0203 before it is too late. There are only limited seats left.
Stalls for upstairs are already booked out but there are still some downstairs stalls available as well as tailgating outside.
Contact Angela on 0407 455 413.
Email address for any enquiries is iojdaa@ bigpond.com or the website is www.iojdaa.com.
o o o
The Fire Opal of Mexico
The fire opal is an unusual variety of opal from Mexico, mystical, charismatic and totally outside the mainstream.
There are two main types of fire opal, the best and most valuable are a vivid burned red-orange combination.
Good quality opal can be transluscent or transparent but the lesser grades have a very definite cloudy appearance about them, which makes them considerably less valuable.
They are almost always cut in a cabochon shape.
Besides Mexico these beautiful gemstones are found in limited quantity in Brazil, Guatemala and parts of the United States.
The fire opal appeared in Aztec folk lore as “VITZITZITECPAL” the stone of the hummingbird.
The Aztec King Montezuma was wearing a beautiful crown containing a precious opal in it when he met the conquistador Hernan Cortes.
Because the Aztecs thought they were gods they surrendered their gold, but never revealed where their opal mines were which then disappeared for 300 years.
Modern day discovery of the fire opal occurred in 1835 in the Mexican Highlands.
Because of the myriad of extinct volcanoes that existed in the area it was fruitful ground indeed. What makes them so different is the size which is much larger than regular opal.
It was said that they were a glowing cauldron of jewelled fire.
These were eventually sent back to Spain and France where they became very popular as being more colourful than the more insipid milky opal from Hungary and appealed especially to the Spaniards with their love of bright colours.
One hundred years later the black opal of Lightning Ridge was mined and eclipsed all others as the most beautiful fiery opal of them all, and so it is still today.
Email a friend