Natural phenomena such as Fata Morgana mirages are a type of illusion that fools the eye into perceiving a false reality. The design of the Mirage pendant skilfully plays with such optical phenomena. The design started with the question whether precious metal can be processed to acquire an iridescent transparency, creating the illusion of a mirage. Using an innovative laser method and new manufacturing techniques, this pendant has emerged as a highly expressive piece of jewellery. Taking inspiration from the natural structures of leaves, feathers and dragonfly wings, the basic circular and oval shapes of Mirage are spanned by slender strips of increasing thickness. Each individual piece of jewellery features two basic shapes that are inserted into each other using a clever technique. Their lamellar strips thus overlap and create the illusion of a transparent body with air inside that seems to shimmer and flicker. The result is an iridescent and translucent effect that lends the gold and platinum materials a highly enticing appearance. Light as a feather and vibrant with each touch, these delicate pieces of jewellery also create an unusual tactile experience: they feel surprisingly soft and smooth. The pieces of jewellery are worn on the Niessing Coil, which visually disappears in the shimmering inside the pendant. The design of the Mirage pendant thus manifests itself as a fascinating play of illusions – a shape that projects the vision of weightlessness in gold or platinum.
Statement by the Jury
Wearers of this jewellery enter into a special relationship. The Mirage pendant is an expression of the Niessing company tradition of constantly translating new techniques into unusual shapes to emotionally touch the senses. This pendant exudes a fascinating vision of timelessness and can easily stand by itself. It makes wearers perceive and feel both the underlying design intention and the creative inventiveness behind it.
