A Multimedia Exploration of the Story of Vulcan, Blending Film, Poetry, Sound, Music, Art and Science
Our mythical hero, Vulcan, found fire at the heart of Mount Etna, deep inside the volcano, and there he set up a furnace, making use of the embers to spark up a blacksmith’s forge.
Cradle of Fire Film Premiere vintage Argentine silver gaucho knife © Emma Boden 2024-11-07
They say that as his skills developed, he added more refined materials to his metalworking, creating gifts for his family. Perhaps there was a dagger at some stage? Certainly a throne in the tale that has transcended the ages.
Vintage Metal Buttons provided by Sheffield Museum Trust archive combined with a Damascus iron and gold, engraved with silver, belt buckle by Malcolm Appleby © Diana Scarborough Screenshot 2024-11-12 at 16.43.41
There was jewellery too, and silverware. Diana was inspired by several pieces during a visit to Sheffield’s Millenium Gallery a few months ago.
Shinta Nakajima’s Acanthus XII, 2023, in brass and 23ct. gold plating and Malcolm Appleby’s Imploded Britannia silver candlestick © Diana Scarborough Screenshot 2024-11-12 at 16.43.21
By late September/early October, as the Cradle of Fire film was progressing towards completion, I went to Goldsmiths’ Fair for the day, to work with goldsmith and jeweller Ingo Henn. At the show, a spectacularly dynamic piece by silversmith Shinta Nakajima caught my eye, and he kindly agreed to supply an image for the film.
Tectonic Beakers hand engraved in Britannia silver by Malcolm Appleby with enamelling by Jane Short © Diana Scarborough Screenshot 2024-11-12 at 16.41.50
This led me to approach other makers that I know, including Malcolm Appleby, who designs in a variety of metals, notably iron, which connects with steelmaking in our wider story. Some of his pieces, integrating iron and gold, as well as silver, and hand enamelling by Jane Short, are shown in the film.
Vintage Sheffield Knives from Sheffield Museums Trust archive , Screenshot © Diana Scarborough 2024-11-12 at 16.41.21
Diana has used artistic license in her multimedia film, to blur eras, featuring decorative Victorian Sheffield cutlery, and geographical locations, with an Argentine knife. She has also played with proportions and scale, using exquisite yellow and white gold pearl bangles by Henn of London to represent rings.
18ct yellow gold and 18ct white gold South Sea Pearl and Diamond Bangles by Henn of London © Diana Scarborough Screenshot 2024-11-19 at 18.08.31
Elsewhere a sumptuous Mandarin garnet from Henn Gems emerges from the volcanic fire, and luminous peridots flourish amidst the fresh green shoots on the mountain. During the Cradle of Fire project I had become fascinated by these precious gems’ very real volcanic origins.
Mandarin Garnet from Henn Gems emerging from a volcanic eruption in the Cradle of Fire film © Diana Scarborough Screenshot 2024-11-12 at 16.44.17
Many, are carried near the surface in rare magma, formed in supersonic eruptions deep in the earth, travelling upwards through the kimberlite pipes that are created by the violent force and intense heat of volcanoes. Volcanoes are our planet’s geologic architects and they give birth to so numerous precious materials.
Looking skyward, Vulcan’s thunderbolts too, have been imagined in the forge, thanks to Sheena’s linocut prints, which will be on display at the forthcoming Cambridge screening event.
Book your tickets here if you’re in town tomorrow!
At the Cradle of Fire Premiere in Sheffield’s Kelham Island Museum with Henn Gem’s spectacular pair of peridots on screen © Emma Boden 2024
Blog by Emma Boden
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Cradle of Fire is a research and development project, supported by public funds from Arts Council England. We are also grateful for support from our partners and creative collaborators. Read more on the dedicated About pages.
Check our progress to date and future plans via the timeline