Thames Pin
A limited edition gold plated pin / brooch, shaped like the Thames.
Folklore from many cultures identifies the bent pin as a votive offering thrown into water to grant wishes for health, happiness, safe-crossing, or at the very least, to give hope. Water was seen as the barrier between the spirit world and our own. Offerings thrown into water were thought to pass through this barrier and reach gods or spirits with the power to answer prayers.
Thousands of bent pins have been found on the foreshore of the Thames and in London's holy wells. Bending the pin puts it out of use; transforming it from a useful object into a symbol.
The curative powers of the Thames can be felt after a short walk along its banks. As a gesture to all who have gazed into it hoping to find an answer to their problems, you can make you own offering by wearing this pin on your lapel, or dropping it into the Thames.
Concept, design and production by Kit Grover in London 2009 for the Design Museum Shop - launched as part of the Super Contemporary show.
Second Edition.
Materials
gold plated pin with recycled card packaging
