Rock Pool Pendant and Chain by Norman Grant

Images(7)

Rock Pool Pendant and Chain

MakerMade by Norman Grant (Forres, Scotland, 1943 - 2017)

AssociatedAssociated with Dust Jewellery, Lundin Links, Fife

Date1978

Object NamePendant

Mediumsilver and enamel

ClassificationsJewellery

Dimensions3.4 × 3.4 × 34cm

AcquisitionPurchased in 2013 with assistance from the National Fund for Acquisitions.

LocationView by Appointment - Aberdeen Treasure Hub

Object numberABDAG011458

Keywords

About MeNorman Grant was born in 1943 in Forres, Scotland. At 18 he went to train at Grays School of Art in Aberdeen, initially studying graphic design and later moving into silversmithing - a process which he felt combined the opportunity to use the inspiration of graphics in a 3d process. Having grown up in a coastal landscape, Grant was much influenced by the forms he saw around him, and inevitably these shapes and forms were the first to creep into his early jewels. In many of Grant's pieces can be seen microscopic plant cell structures, as both under a microscope and with the naked eye; single and multiple flower motifs, flower stamens, trees, worm eaten driftwood, algal growth patterns seen in rock pools, shells. Seaweed, anemone like forms, seed heads bursting into life and later fish, wave and cloud motifs.

In 1967 he began, in a small way, to produce pieces of jewellery by himself in his own tiny garden shed. His favorite medium was translucent enamel, which he combined with Sterling silver, the low cost of which meant that he could be experimental with this work, while keeping costs to the customer relatively low. Realising that if he was to be successful, he had to sell his work, Norman visited local Scottish jewellers, and was astounded when all the pieces that he took with him sold in one morning. Immediately Grant found himself working full time to fulfill orders and within a year his work's popularity was clear; with its colorful psychedelic colours and Pop art patterns, it personified, in personal ornament, the fashion and art ethic of the period.

In London, shops in the prodigious Burlington Arcade sought Grant's work, as well as the well established Cameo Corner, Liberty of London, and Harrods while in the USA both Bonwit Teller and Marshall Field stocked pieces. Grant realized that his success at the time was both lucky and unusual, as fashion boutiques commonly only stocked plastic jewellery and department stores and jewellers had only previously dealt with jewels in precious stones and gold - unwittingly he had broken new ground with jewels that were inexpensive without being gimmicky and cheap, and importantly, well made and imaginative.

Norman Grant's work quickly became synonymous with the psychedelic "Art Nouveau" floral revival style of the early 1970s, and its luminescent flowers and candy colour shapes provided ideal accessories for the popular clothes of the moment from designers such as Biba and Mary Quant. In fact his work became so trend setting that it quickly became a "must-have" accessory that was worn by many celebrities including Sandie Shaw and Mick Jagger, and later Billy Connolly and Elton John.

More About Me

Collections Wall

Grant in his favourite medium of transparent enamel and silver. He gained international fame in the 1970s with jewellery which was imaginative, well made and inexpensive