Today I was asked what a finding was by a non-jewellery
person. It seemed a simple question to answer – I made a list of all the things
I called findings and confidently said, ‘Findings are the bits and pieces of
metal that hold jewellery together – chain, clasps, links, bead caps, earring
bits, etc.’
Ironically, I had just taken a photo of my latest creation
that had findings in abundance.
Then I wondered – was I right? So, off to Google Search. Some
dictionaries define findings as the small tools and materials used by artisans
– not just jewellers. Others link them specifically to jewellers by defining
them as small parts used to join jewellery components together.
Either way, it struck me what a strange word it was to apply
to a group of objects or to small tools and materials. I wondered - why are
findings called findings? Answering this ‘why?’ question was certainly trickier
than answering the ‘what’ question.
Deep amongst various definitions of findings possibilities
emerged. In legalese a synonym for ‘finding’ is a holding – could it be that
they all ‘hold’ things together.
Finding in Olde English means to come upon, alight on and
there is some surmising that this come from a German would that means to go,
pass, path, bridge. Were they seen as bridges between components.
In an article trying to answer my question I found this:
Every jeweler, his or
her apprentices, and /or journeymen and women had to be able to make all their
own components. Each project required the jeweler or apprentice to hammer out a
sheet of gold or silver and draw lengths of wire. Being cautious, they
generally hammered or drew a little more metal than was needed.
The leftover bits
would be set aside for later use on small projects or to modify an existing
piece of jewelry. These bits came to be called findings. They were used to make
eye pins, jump rings, or other small components. A small piece of wire could be
used to replace a missing earwire. A leftover piece of metal might be folded to
form a catch for a necklace. No scrap would be thrown away, even the filings
were kept, remelted, and used again. This practice remained common until
jewelers began to specialize.
http://www.harlequinbeads.com/history-of-findings-article
I still didn’t feel I had my answer – still the question
‘why’ findings persisted. Another site focusing on the history of jewellery
surmised this”
The etymology is uncertain but it might relate
to the old use of the word "findan" to indicate things obtained
through research and study; in some cultures artisans would be given their
first set of professional tools as a recognition that they had learned their
trade.
http://www.treasurology.com/more/findings.html
So, what do you think? What do you know? Can you help me grow my findings about findings?
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