Images(7)

Neckpiece

MakerMade by Jacqueline Ryan (London, England, born 1966)

Date2008

Object Namenecklace

Medium18ct gold, vitreous enamel and garnet

ClassificationsJewellery

DimensionsL: 74 cm x W: 3.5 cm

AcquisitionPresented in 2009 by the Art Fund.

LocationOn Display - Gallery 08

Object numberABDAG011365

Keywords

About MeThis necklace is made from red gold, which is similar in colour-quality to the gold of artefacts from ancient civilisations. The artist takes inspiration from this historic approach to goldsmithing, maintaining a natural matt surface and using finely beaten sheets of metal to make her work.

The shell-shaped hollow elements are each separately hand-pierced, hand-forged and enamelled before being assembled into a continuous cluster-chain. Loosely inspired by the sea the blue colour of the enamel represents the 'great calm' required by Ryan to make this piece; the execution took four solid months.

Ryan graduated from the Royal College of Art in 1991, moving to Italy's goldsmithing centre, Padua a year later. She now has a studio in Umbria where she employs the techniques and philosophies of 'ancient workshops' while embracing a contemporary and British aesthetic.

More About Me

Collections Wall

See the intricate work in this incredible piece of jewellery? Think how long it took to make each piece, then to combine them - the maker must have been a very patient person!

Exhibitions

Gallery 08 - Adorning