Overlooked ‘street jewellery’

Manhole covers. Overlooked by so many, but so often their intricate patterns and history deserve a second life. And here they’re given one by a young artist Emma France for her tshirt and bag designs in this article.

Using an ink roller, each one is unique – and here she is at work:

Of course many other people have popularised these designs, notably and recently by Pentagram’s Marina Willer in her A1 book showcasing the designs of London’s manhole covers.

And London based designer Christian Küsters also has a range of badges and prints along a similar vein.

In fact, a book on this subject was published as early as 1869. More history and facts in this article about the ‘street jewellery’ on the FT.