The Curios Collection explores themes of memory, nature and mortality through handcrafted sterling silver jewellery inspired by ethically sourced bones and natural curiosities.
Drawing influence from Victorian Memento Mori traditions, these pieces reflect a long history of creating objects that honour remembrance and celebrate the fleeting nature of life. The phrase "Memento Mori" translates to "remember that you must die" and serves as a reminder to live fully and appreciate the present.
My fascination with natural history, taxidermy and curiosity collecting has heavily influenced this collection. Using specimens from animals that have passed from unpreventable causes, I carefully preserve the intricate structures of skulls, vertebrae and bones through the casting process.
Each piece is created with respect for the original specimen and aims to highlight the beauty found within nature's smallest details.
The collection includes skull jewellery, bone jewellery, memorial-inspired designs and alternative jewellery for collectors seeking pieces with meaning, symbolism and individuality.
Handcrafted in Adelaide, every design reflects my background as a contemporary jewellery artist and my ongoing interest in the relationship between art, nature and remembrance.
Memento Mori Jewellery Australia
The Finch Skull & Chain Necklace is a handcrafted sterling silver necklace made in Adelaide, South Australia by Olivia Dryden. It belongs to the Curios Collection, where natural history, memento mori symbolism and careful craftsmanship meet.
The design began with a real finch skull, chosen for its small scale, delicate structure and quiet sculptural presence. Through the moulding and casting process, the skull has been recreated in sterling silver, transforming the original specimen into a lasting wearable object.
Worn on a sterling silver chain, the piece feels refined, intimate and slightly gothic. It connects to my ongoing interest in natural history, ethical specimen work, memory and preservation, while remaining simple enough for everyday wear.
Materials: Sterling silver
Process: Each necklace is handmade in small quantities using traditional silversmithing and casting techniques. The original finch skull was carefully moulded before being cast in sterling silver. Slight differences in texture, shape and finish should be expected as part of the handmade process.
Dimensions: Necklace length: 45 cm. Finch skull: 3 cm x 1.5 cm.
Explore more: View the Curios Collection or browse more necklaces.
FAQ
Q3: How do I clean the Finch Skull & Chain Necklace with Drop Earrings?
A: Avoid perfumes, lotions and harsh chemicals, and gently polish the sterling silver with a soft jewellery cloth. A silver dip may be used occasionally on the silver components only, following the product instructions carefully before rinsing and drying completely.
Q2: Are the animal specimens ethically sourced?
A: Yes. Animal specimens used in Olivia Dryden Jewellery are sourced from animals that have passed from unpreventable causes, and each piece is created with respect for the original specimen.
Q3: Is the Finch Skull & Chain Necklace suitable as a gift?
A: Yes. Each piece is packaged in an Olivia Dryden Jewellery branded velvet pouch and is suited to collectors who appreciate handmade jewellery with story, natural detail and quiet gothic symbolism.
The Small Rat Spine Hoop Earrings are handcrafted sterling silver earrings made in Adelaide, South Australia by Olivia Dryden. They belong to the Curios Collection, where natural history, memento mori symbolism and careful craftsmanship meet.
The design began with a real rat spine, chosen for its tiny vertebral structure and delicate repeating form. Through the moulding and casting process, the spine has been recreated in sterling silver, transforming the original specimen into a lasting piece of contemporary jewellery.
Designed as small hoops, these earrings sit close to the ear while still carrying the quiet detail and symbolism of the Curios Collection. The result is subtle, unusual and connected to my ongoing interest in natural history, ethical specimen work, memory and preservation.
Materials: Sterling silver.
Process: Each pair is handmade in small quantities using traditional silversmithing and casting techniques. Slight differences in texture, shape and finish should be expected as part of the handmade process.
Dimensions: Hoop: 1.5 cm.
Spine form: 1cm width.
Explore more:
View the Curios Collection or browse more earrings.
FAQ
Q1: Are the Small Rat Spine Hoop Earrings suitable as a gift?
A:Yes. Each piece is packaged in an Olivia Dryden Jewellery branded velvet pouch and is suited to collectors who appreciate handmade jewellery with story, detail and meaning.
Q2: Are the animal specimens ethically sourced?
A: Yes. Animal specimens used in Olivia Dryden Jewellery are sourced from animals that have passed from unpreventable causes, and each piece is created with respect for the original specimen.
Q3: How do I clean the Small Rat Spine Hoop Earrings?
A: Avoid perfumes, lotions and harsh chemicals, and gently polish the sterling silver with a soft jewellery cloth. Because the spine form has small, hard-to-reach details, a silver dip may be used occasionally if needed. Always follow the silver dip instructions carefully, rinse thoroughly and dry completely.
The Mini Cross Bone & Drop Stud Earrings are handcrafted sterling silver earrings made in Adelaide, South Australia by Olivia Dryden. They belong to the Curios Collection, where natural history, memento mori symbolism and careful craftsmanship meet.
The original fox tail vertebrae was carefully moulded and cast in sterling silver, preserving the fine structure of the specimen with respect and intention. The result is a piece that feels intimate and quietly unusual: a wearable keepsake shaped by nature, memory and the handmade process.
This piece is available with your choice of drop: freshwater pearl, onyx, amethyst or garnet. Each option brings a different mood to the sculptural silver form, from the soft organic lustre of freshwater pearls to the deeper tones of natural gemstones.
Materials: Sterling silver, Freshwater pearls, Onyx, Amethyst or Garnet.
Process: Each piece is handmade in small quantities using traditional silversmithing and casting techniques. Natural variation is part of the process, so small differences in texture, shape and pearl or gemstone character should be expected.
Dimensions: 1.5cm length. 0.8cm pearls/gemstones
Explore more: View the Curios Collection or browse more earrings.
FAQ
Q1: Are the animal specimens ethically sourced?
A: Yes. Animal specimens used in Olivia Dryden Jewellery are sourced from animals that have passed from unpreventable causes, and each piece is made with respect for the original specimen.
Q2: How do I clean the Mini Cross Bone & Drop Stud Earrings?
A: Avoid perfumes, lotions and harsh chemicals, and gently polish sterling silver with a soft jewellery cloth.
Q3: Are the Mini Cross Bone & Drop Stud Earrings suitable as a gift?
A: Yes. Each piece is packaged in an Olivia Dryden Jewellery branded velvet pouch and is suited to collectors who appreciate handmade jewellery with story, detail and meaning.
The Bird Claws Clutching Pearls Stud Earrings are handcrafted sterling silver earrings made in Adelaide, South Australia by Olivia Dryden. They belong to the Curios Collection, where natural history, memento mori symbolism and careful craftsmanship meet.
The design began with a real bird claw, which was carefully moulded so its fine structure, curved talons and natural surface detail could be preserved. That mould was then used to cast the form in sterling silver, creating a lasting metal version of the original specimen.
Each claw appears to gently clutch a freshwater pearl, creating a contrast between the sharp, sculptural silver form and the soft organic lustre of the pearl. The result is intimate, quietly unusual and connected to my ongoing interest in natural history, ethical specimen work, memory and preservation.
Materials: Sterling silver, freshwater pearls.
Process:Each pair is handmade in small quantities using traditional silversmithing and casting techniques. The original bird claw was carefully moulded, allowing its delicate anatomical details to be captured before being cast in sterling silver. Natural variation is part of the handmade process, so slight differences in texture, shape and pearl character should be expected.
Dimensions:
1.5 cm x 1 cm.
Pearl: approximately 1 cm.
Explore more:
View the Curios Collection or browse more earrings.
FAQ
Q1: Are the animal specimens ethically sourced?
A: Yes. Animal specimens used in Olivia Dryden Jewellery are sourced from animals that have passed from unpreventable causes, and each piece is made with respect for the original specimen.
Q2: How do I clean the Bird Claws Clutching Pearls Stud Earrings?
A: Avoid perfumes, lotions and harsh chemicals, and gently polish sterling silver with a soft jewellery cloth.
Q3: Is the Bird Claws Clutching Pearls Stud Earrings suitable as a gift?
A: Yes. Each piece is packaged in an Olivia Dryden Jewellery branded velvet pouch and is suited to collectors who appreciate handmade jewellery with story, detail and meaning.
The Spider Pendant is a handcrafted sterling silver necklace made in Adelaide, South Australia by Olivia Dryden. It belongs to the Curios Collection, where natural history, curiosity cabinets and careful craftsmanship meet.
The design began with a real spider, chosen for its delicate legs, small body and intricate natural form. Through the moulding and casting process, the spider has been recreated in sterling silver, transforming the original specimen into a lasting wearable object.
Worn as a pendant, the spider becomes a quiet talisman of patience, creativity and the strange beauty found in small overlooked creatures. It is a distinctive piece for those drawn to natural history, insect jewellery and objects with a sense of story.
Materials: Sterling silver
Process: Each pendant is handmade in small quantities using traditional silversmithing and casting techniques. The original spider was carefully moulded before being cast in sterling silver. Slight differences in texture, shape and finish should be expected as part of the handmade process.
Dimensions: Pendant: 3 cm x 2.5 cm. 45cm length chain.
Explore more: View the Curios Collection or browse more necklaces.
FAQ
Q1: Is the Spider Pendant made from a real spider?
A: The finished pendant is made from sterling silver, not organic material. The design began with a real spider, which was carefully moulded so its delicate legs, body and surface detail could be preserved before being cast in sterling silver.
Q2: What does spider jewellery symbolise?
A: Spiders are often associated with patience, creativity, weaving and transformation. Within the Curios Collection, the spider also reflects my interest in natural history, preservation and the beauty found in small, unusual specimens.
Q3: How do I clean the Spider Pendant?
A: Avoid perfumes, lotions and harsh chemicals, and gently polish the sterling silver with a soft jewellery cloth. Because the spider form has fine, hard-to-reach details, a silver dip may be used occasionally if needed. Always follow the silver dip instructions carefully, rinse thoroughly and dry completely.
The Large Rat Spine Hoop Earrings are handcrafted sterling silver earrings made in Adelaide, South Australia by Olivia Dryden. These earrings belong to the Curios Collection, where natural history, memento mori symbolism and careful craftsmanship meet.
The original rat spine was carefully moulded and cast in sterling silver, preserving the fine structure of the specimen with respect and intention. The result is a piece that feels intimate and quietly unusual: a wearable keepsake shaped by nature, memory and the handmade process.
Materials: Sterling silver.
Process: Each piece is handmade in small quantities using traditional silversmithing and casting techniques. Natural variation is part of the process, so small differences in texture, shape should be expected.
Dimensions: 2.5cm hoop, spinal cord 3mm width to 1cm at widest.
Explore more: View the Curios Collection or browse more earrings.
FAQ
Q1: Are the Large Rat Spine Hoop Earrings made from real bone?
A: The design is cast from a real rat spine or natural specimen, then recreated in sterling silver. The original specimen is used to capture the detail, while the finished jewellery is silver.
Q2: Are the animal specimens ethically sourced?
A: Yes. Animal specimens used in Olivia Dryden Jewellery are sourced from animals that have passed from unpreventable causes, and each piece is made with respect for the original specimen.
Q3: Are the Large Rat Spine Hoop Earrings suitable as a gift?
Yes. Each piece is packaged in Olivia Dryden Jewellery branded packaging and is suited to collectors who appreciate handmade jewellery with story, detail and meaning.
The Bird Bone & Chain Necklace is a handcrafted sterling silver necklace made in Adelaide, South Australia by Olivia Dryden. It belongs to the Curios Collection, where natural history, memento mori symbolism and careful craftsmanship meet.
The original bird femur was carefully moulded and cast in sterling silver, preserving the fine structure of the specimen with respect and intention. The result is a piece that feels intimate and quietly unusual: a wearable keepsake shaped by nature, memory and the handmade process.
Materials: Sterling silver
Process: Each piece is handmade in small quantities using traditional silversmithing and casting techniques. Natural variation is part of the process, so small differences in texture, shape and character should be expected.
Dimensions: Necklace total length 45cm length (Bone 4cm).
Explore more: View the Curios Collection or browse more necklaces.
FAQ
Q1: Is the Bird Bone & Chain Necklace made from real bone?
A: The finished necklace is made from sterling silver, not bone. The design began with a real bird femur, which was carefully moulded so its delicate natural form and surface detail could be preserved. That mould was then used to cast the piece in sterling silver, creating a lasting metal version of the original specimen. This process allows the necklace to honour the structure of the bone while remaining durable and wearable as jewellery.
Q2: Are the animal specimens ethically sourced?
A: Yes. Animal specimens used in Olivia Dryden Jewellery are sourced from animals that have passed from unpreventable causes, and each piece is made with respect for the original specimen.
Q3: Is the Bird Bone & Chain Necklace suitable as a gift?
A:Yes. Each piece is packaged in an Olivia Dryden Jewellery branded velvet pouch and is suited to collectors who appreciate handmade jewellery with story, detail and meaning.
The Memento Mori Cross Pendant is a handcrafted sterling silver necklace made in Adelaide, South Australia by Olivia Dryden. It belongs to the Curios Collection, where natural history, memento mori symbolism and careful craftsmanship meet.
The pendant is formed from bird bone shapes arranged into a cross, creating a quiet symbol of memory, mortality and reflection. Cast in sterling silver, the bone forms become a lasting wearable object with a refined, slightly gothic presence.
Freshwater pearls add soft organic contrast to the sculptural silver form, balancing the darker symbolism of the cross with gentle lustre and natural variation.
Materials: Sterling silver
Process: Each necklace is handmade in small quantities using traditional silversmithing and casting techniques. The bird bone forms were originally moulded, then wax versions were arranged into the cross shape before being cast in sterling silver. Slight differences in texture, finish and pearl character should be expected as part of the handmade process.
Dimensions: Chain length: 45 cm.
Cross pendant: 4 cm.
Explore more: View the Curios Collection or browse more necklaces.
FAQ
Q1: What does memento mori mean?
A: Memento mori is a Latin phrase meaning “remember that you must die”. In jewellery, it often refers to symbolic pieces that reflect on mortality, memory and the fleeting nature of life.
Q2: Is the Memento Mori Cross Pendant made from real bone?
A: The finished necklace is made from sterling silver, not bone. The design began with real bird bones, which were carefully moulded so their delicate natural structure and surface detail could be preserved. Wax forms were then created from those moulds and arranged into the cross shape before being cast in sterling silver.
Q3: Is the Momento Mori Cross Pendant suitable as a gift?
A: Yes. Each piece is packaged in an Olivia Dryden Jewellery branded velvet pouch and is suited to collectors who appreciate handmade jewellery with story, detail and meaning.
Ethical Bone Jewellery in Australia
All specimens used in my work come from animals that have passed from unpreventable causes. Through casting and preservation, these natural forms are transformed into sterling silver jewellery that honours both the original specimen and the stories they carry.
Olivia Dryden is an Adelaide jewellery artist with a Bachelor of Visual Arts & Design and recipient of a Helpmann Academy Fellowship.