M.Tech. Fine and Applied Arts. / This study explores the Platonic notion of idealism, specifically applied to the botanical imagery represented in Renaissance paintings and its enamelled jewellery counterparts, as an aid in contemporary enamelled jewellery design. The same process of idealisation found in Renaissance painting and enamel jewels, is applied to South African botanical motifs, which creates a stylistic departure from the botanical images used during the Renaissance. This research employs a literary review on the thought and theory of idealism and its link with Renaissance painting and enamelled jewellery. Images and information on selected Renaissance paintings and enamelled jewellery incorporating botanical motifs are compared and analysed in order to investigate the progression of the idealised motif. Through the analysis of Renaissance jewellery, the basic design framework that was employed in the designing of the piece becomes apparent. The enamelling techniques, types, colours and motifs are re-applied using the notion of idealisation, to South African botanical motifs and a design framework is constructed for contemporary enamel jewellery. This study demonstrates the application of an historical design principle to contemporary jewellery design. As a result, unique collections of enamelled contemporary jewellery are created, translated from the Renaissance idealised botanical motifs into a South African context.