Patricia Tozer | The Rose Bower

Artist: Patricia Tozer, Canada
Materials: sterling silver, fine silver, tourmaline
Size: 8 1/2

Artist Statement: The Rose Bower ring is the result of my research into walled gardens as depicted in Medieval secular and religious illuminated manuscripts. My favourite image is that of a woman sitting with a weaving(?) project in a garden surrounded by trellises of blooming roses. It seems the perfect, idyllic place to escape to for a few hours of solitude. This particular image formed the starting point for this creation. In the Middle Ages, the 'secluded garden' would often be planted with flowering vines and feature a lawn strewn with freshly cut flowers. The effect would be to envelop the visitor in the narcotic fragrance of roses and other scented flowers, especially on a warm summer day where the walls would keep the heat.

Roses in particular have always been highly prized and carry deep symbolic meaning in many places around the world. They have been used in medicine, perfumes, food, and décor for millennia. The plants are a magical combination of delicate, satin petals, mesmerizing scent and terrible thorns. They are themselves walled gardens for small animals and birds.

The Rose Bower ring is entirely handmade from sterling and fine silver and set with pink and green rose-cut tourmalines. It features a tiny rainbow patinated bird hovering over a nest of eggs, protected in the walled garden of roses.

Artist Bio: Patricia Tozer has been working as an experimental silversmith and jewellery designer since 2017 and has been shown in numerous exhibits internationally. Patricia studied fine arts at McMaster University and earned her Master’s degree at the University of Victoria in Victoria, B.C., Canada. She was fortunate to learn metalsmithing from master goldsmith and multimedia artist, Tosca Terán in Toronto, Canada.

This ring was part of Battle of the Rings: Ring Smackdown 2023, an online exhibition and competition. View the entire collection HERE, view the matches HERE, and learn more HERE.