Pair of Napkin Rings thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Pair of Napkin Rings

ca.1927 (designed and made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

The napkin rings in a self conscious `Art Deco' style were designed and made in New Zealand and are an interesting illustration of an Empire interpretation of a European fashion.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Napkin Ring
  • Napkin Ring
Materials and techniques
Nephrite jade with silver mounts
Brief description
Pair of napkin rings, greenstone (nephrite jade) with silver mounts, New Zealand, Wellington. William Littlejohn and Sons, ca.1927
Physical description
The napkin rings form an equilateral triangle; each side is made up of three short greenstone bars connected to the other two by an angular joint of silver. The silver mounts which hold the bars return at a 45° angle. The bars are of New Zealand nephrite jade known locally as greenstone.
Dimensions
  • Height: 5cm
  • Width: 6cm
Style
Production typesmall batch
Marks and inscriptions
SILVER (Stamped on the silver mounts)
Credit line
Given by Mrs B.W. Robinson
Object history
These napkin rings were inherited by the donor who has an extensive network of family relations in Christchurch, New Zealand. Mrs Robinson is the widow of a former Keeper of Metalwork, Basil Robinson (1912-2005) who joined the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1939, was Keeper of Metalwork, 1966-1972 and Keeper Emeritus of the Far Eastern Department, 1971-1976.
Summary
The napkin rings in a self conscious `Art Deco' style were designed and made in New Zealand and are an interesting illustration of an Empire interpretation of a European fashion.
Collection
Accession number
M.72-1980

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Record createdJune 24, 2009
Record URL
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