This Boucher design is a much-cherished part of my collection. My husband gave it to me for our 47th wedding anniversary. When I look at the design, I think of our loving life together. While free to fly apart, we choose to stay together.
My sweet husband didn’t buy this pin because he loved the design, although he does like it. He bought it because he knew I loved the elegant simplicity of the design AND the innovative surprise revealed when viewed from the back.
Simplicity in design provides a clarity in concept (the beauty of living life together). Simplicity in design is difficult to achieve and an indication of a talented designer.
To achieve simplicity in design, the designer must have a clear, concise vision of the overall concept and carefully select only the design elements necessary to achieve the concept.
In this design, each line, each curve, and each stone are precisely selected and placed to support the overall theme of flying together in love and togetherness.
Boucher chose a high-domed ruby cabochon for the eye. This choice gives the design a pop of color, defines the curved shape of the head and, by its position, establishes the beak. The navette shape of the stone also supports the illusion of movement.
Lines drawn on the diagonal are considered to be unstable – neither vertical or horizontal and add the illusion of movement to a design. The grooved lines along the body of each bird serves this function. They add texture while tracing the path of the birds in the sky. The lines tell us the bottom bird’s path is straight up into the sky, but the top bird’s path is to the right.
The curved lines are decorated with crystal stones along the belly of the birds to further emphasize movement while adding dimension to the design.
Zig zag lines simulate feathers and define the edges of the birds. All of the action is taking place in a 2 1/2″ square of space.
Innovative Function: The Genius of Boucher
A master of innovation, when viewed from the back, this pin is revealed to be a clever convertible design. It is two birds in one connected by a small tube of metal. The birds can be worn together or flying side-by-side.
The back of each bird is equipped with a special, subtle design feature necessary to connect the birds together. Unlike a duette pin that connects two clips together with a specially designed frame, this convertible design connects the two pins by a small tube/holder on one pin and a strategically placed groove on the other.
To separate the pins, first open the spinning c-clasps. Gently remove the bottom pin from the tube-holder.
Reconnecting the birds is easy with two little tips. Viewing both pins from the back, the bird with the specially designed tube-holder is on top. The other bird has a groove along one wing. The rhinestone body of the top bird (the one with the tube/holder) rests in this groove. Properly positioned, the clasps will easily close. It is a tight, masterfully designed system.
Over the years, this Boucher bird design has become recognizable and iconic. I’ve seen single birds sold separately in the collectible market. The presence of the tube/holder or groove indicate they were once part of a pair. In my opinion, the overall concept is lost with a single bird; however, even with only one piece the bird design is a masterful example of simplicity in design and the effective use of line.
I love my Boucher birds, and I hope you enjoyed visiting them.
Happy Collecting,
Love,
Julie