Silk Linden Blossom Brooch

This brooch is made from 100% Slovenian silk, entirely cultivated, processed, and designed in Slovenia using historically restored manual and semi-automated silk production techniques. It combines delicate bobbin lace, silk wadding, and a brass base in a finely crafted piece that builds a dialogue between tradition and contemporary design. Inspired by the natural linden blossom, the design features two layers of petals and rich centrally placed stamens  (re)created in lace at a slightly enlarged scale. Two hand-sewn buds made from silk wadding accentuate the authentic look of the inflorescence. The floral arrangement is composed of three blossoms, stitched onto a brass setting that highlights the individuality of each flower. On the reverse is a fastening mechanism; the pin is stainless steel and the brass is gold-plated. A special silk thread was developed for this bobbin lace, spun from two grège threads twisted on a spinning wheel. Each thread was first twisted to the right (filé), then both together twisted to the left. The thread was crafted from 60 hand-unwound cocoons. This ensures a smooth, uniform texture, ideal for precise lace-making and superior aesthetic quality. The brooch is the result of collaboration among researchers, producers, designers, and artists who are dedicated to reviving the production of silk as a significant part of Slovenia’s natural, cultural, and technical heritage. It blends historical technology with contemporary design approach and is based on sustainable practices developed by the Institute for Sericulture and Silk Craft RLB, proving that Slovenian silk is one of the greenest textile materials of the future. The European silkworm hybrids were provided by Silvia Cappellozza, Consiglio per la Ricerca in Agricoltura e l'Analisi dell'Economia Agraria, Centro di Ricerca Agricoltura e Ambiente (CREA-AA), Padova, Italy.