Ariel O’Connor
I will address critical questions about ancient jade, bronze, and turquoise inlay techniques through a series of experiments to recreate early Chinese inlay workshop practices informed by Italian craft tradition. These inlay crafts are no longer practiced in China, but Italy has a vibrant and continuous tradition of stone inlay through mosaics, micro-mosaics, and pietre dure. With Rome-based artists and jewelers, I will recreate the ancient stone inlay and cast bronze hafts, study ancient mosaics, and visit Roman micro-mosaic studios to understand modern workshop techniques based in 2,000 years of uninterrupted craft tradition. This project is an intersection of conservation, studio art, archaeology, art history, and storytelling. Through a global, multi-cultural lens I aim to improve understanding of the complex structure of craft society and multi-material collaborations in ancient workshops.