Pyrrha is a gorgeous line of handmade talisman jewelry made from reclaimed silver, bronze, and gold. Each talisman is cast using authentic wax seals and imagery from the Victorian era. The artists behind Pyrrha, Wade and Danielle Papin, have made their home in Vancouver and continually prove their commitment to investing in their community by using local artists and materials in their Vancouver studio.
One of the benefits of using real artists to craft their talismans as opposed to mass machinery is that each piece is one-of-a-kind- cast and finished by hand with a unique approach. We love this video that shows the metamorphosis of a piece from a wax seal to a finished product-
Pyrrha’s founders own words best describe the genesis of the brand and their commitment to creating a unique, handcrafted product:
Inspiration for our signature talisman jewelry came to us at an estate sale while digging through a box of old letters adorned with dirty, cracked, and fragile wax seals. Rich in heraldic symbolism, something about the antiquity of the seals made their sentiment feel more genuine.
Fascinated by the art of heraldry and compelled to preserve their rough-hewn history, we use the seals to make talisman jewelry that conveys an inspirational message. We celebrate the cracks and flaws in the wax, choosing to preserve a handmade feel.
We felt that the timing couldn’t be better given the return of old world craftsmanship and tradition. Our design direction is largely a reaction to the proliferation of factory made, mass produced jewelry that is so common in our industry. Everything seems to be cranked out at a staggering pace and then left for dead. Because we live in such a throwaway society, we feel it’s necessary to create things that can be treasured.
A Pyrrha talisman is a very personal piece of jewelry- both in the choice and interpretation of the heraldic symbol and in the making of the piece. Victorian seals were designed with an emblem that was the personal signature of the bearer, expressing in symbolic language their personal history and intentions. Each Pyrrha talisman is provided with a card explaining the symbolism behind the seal.
Check out the video below a glimpse into what continues to inspire the creators of Pyrrha-
