Necklace thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Jewellery, Rooms 91, The William and Judith Bollinger Gallery

Necklace

1968 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

In the 1960s jewellery developed an abstract, sculptural character, with a wide range of visual effects. The traditionally polished surface of gold was no longer fashionable, and instead jewellers played with flame and heat to create new textures and surface finishes. Antony Hawksley's collar neckpiece is typical of this period with its abstract sculptural expression.

Minerals and gemstones were integrated in unique and often asymmetrical cuts. Inexpensive materials were combined with precious metals. The value of a piece of jewellery lay in the imagination of the creator rather than the materials used.

Anthony Hawksley (1921-91) was trained at the Maidstone School of Art, and later the Royal College of Art. In 1951 he exhibited at the Festival of Britain for Goldsmiths' Hall. Hawksley taught silversmithing at Birmingham and Oxford. The Oxford colleges, and in particular Wolfson College, commissioned silver pieces from him.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Gilded silver
Brief description
Necklace designed and made by Anthony Hawksley, 1968, gilded silver
Physical description
Broad collar with textured spiralling decoration, made from identical units linked together on the reverse.
Dimensions
  • Diameter: 17cm
  • Depth: 1cm
Credit line
Given by the artist
Summary
In the 1960s jewellery developed an abstract, sculptural character, with a wide range of visual effects. The traditionally polished surface of gold was no longer fashionable, and instead jewellers played with flame and heat to create new textures and surface finishes. Antony Hawksley's collar neckpiece is typical of this period with its abstract sculptural expression.

Minerals and gemstones were integrated in unique and often asymmetrical cuts. Inexpensive materials were combined with precious metals. The value of a piece of jewellery lay in the imagination of the creator rather than the materials used.

Anthony Hawksley (1921-91) was trained at the Maidstone School of Art, and later the Royal College of Art. In 1951 he exhibited at the Festival of Britain for Goldsmiths' Hall. Hawksley taught silversmithing at Birmingham and Oxford. The Oxford colleges, and in particular Wolfson College, commissioned silver pieces from him.
Collection
Accession number
M.25-1973

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Record createdJanuary 9, 2008
Record URL
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