A striking, oversized, mid 20th century, modernist pendant, modeled in 18k yellow gold and set with a clutch of lustrous cultured pearls. This playful jewel is a study in circular forms— the primary shape is a large circle from whose edges smaller circles, of various sizes, have been removed. This altered, "bitten" shape is traced by the pendant's broad, flat-wire border, and that border is lifted to create dimensionality, here and there, where it traces the smaller (subtracted) circular shapes. A complete empty-circle sits at the pendant's center, below a raised ring that traces its discreet perimeter in the same manner. The pendant's flat surface is finished with a delicately hand-engraved pattern of lines that seem to shine out, like rays, from the centermost circle. This texture is directional, micro-engraved, and is not simply brushed. The pendant's flat-wire border is polished to a high shine. Four cultured pearls, mounted on posts, play around the edges of the forms. This pendant hangs from an extra-large, elongated bail. It is truly impressive in size, concept, and manufacture. We're suckers for repetition in art, and for imagination in jewelry— this weighty, modernist pendant checks both of those boxes, with gusto.

Materials

18k gold
Pearl

Age

c. 1960

Dimensions

Total drop is approx 2 3/4"; pendant diameter measures approx 2"; bail and loop measure approx 3/4", together; pearls (4) measure approx 4.75 - 5.4 mm.