Strapwork Pendant with Two Swans as Earrings at Left and Right 

Daniel Mignot created this ornamental design for a strapwork pendant using engraving techniques sometime between 1593 and 1616. The composition is dominated by an elaborate symmetrical pendant design, showcasing the intricate detailing achievable through engraving. Mignot’s design plays with the tension between the two-dimensional surface of the print and the implied depth of the ornamental forms. The strapwork, with its interwoven bands and scrolling foliage, creates a sense of layered space that is characteristic of Mannerist design. Yet, the precise lines and uniform tone remind us of the print's materiality. Consider the semiotic function of the swan motifs and ribbons. While they denote luxury and refinement, the pendant’s design signifies the commodification of aristocratic taste through printmaking. The very act of engraving allowed for the mass production and dissemination of such designs, challenging the unique value traditionally associated with handcrafted jewelry. This engraving invites us to reflect on how prints mediate the relationship between art, commerce, and social status.