Bracelet
1979 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
This simple yet dramatic cuff bracelet is a striking example of fashion jewellery from the late 1970s and early 1980s. It combines excellent design with innovative materials, and indicates the growing acceptance of non-precious materials by jewellery schools and colleges (in this case the Royal College of Art), and their successful adoption by young jewellers.
Although no longer designing jewellery, Valerie Robertson's work was very highly regarded at the time, and similar work was commissioned from her by Zandra Rhodes for her
Spring/Summer Collection 1980.
Although no longer designing jewellery, Valerie Robertson's work was very highly regarded at the time, and similar work was commissioned from her by Zandra Rhodes for her
Spring/Summer Collection 1980.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Brass-coloured metal sheet set with iridescent plastic foil |
Brief description | Cuff bracelet made from a single 'V' shaped piece of metal sheet, Valerie Robertson, 1979 |
Physical description | A close fitting cuff bracelet made from a single 'V' shaped piece of metal sheet. The central panel is of silvery iridescent plastic foil, which shimmers with green, blue, pink and purple. There are two safety chains at the back. |
Dimensions |
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Marks and inscriptions | 'VR' in an oval punch (Maker's identification; On the outside edge of a back corner, above the loop for the safety chain) |
Credit line | Given by Janine du Plessis |
Object history | Valerie Robertson graduated from the Royal College of Art in 1979 and this bracelet, which relates directly to the work shown in her degree show, was made immediately afterwards. The donor, as Fashion Editor for the magazine New Style, used it in a fashion shoot in the September / October issue (pp 19 - 22) where it is one of a pair described as a 'gauntlet' bracelets and its retail price is given as £23. It is shown with clothes designed by John McIntyre from fabric by Timney Fowler (they were also new graduates from the RCA, and exceptionally for degree show material these ensembles were taken by Browns of South Molton Street). Valerie Robertson's jewellery is detailed as being available at Strangeways, 3 Holland Street, a boutique then managed by the donor. The following year Zandra Rhodes commissioned work in a similar style and the same materials for her Spring / Summer collection 1980 (see Farneti Cera, Deanna Jewels of Fantasy p.349). |
Summary | This simple yet dramatic cuff bracelet is a striking example of fashion jewellery from the late 1970s and early 1980s. It combines excellent design with innovative materials, and indicates the growing acceptance of non-precious materials by jewellery schools and colleges (in this case the Royal College of Art), and their successful adoption by young jewellers. Although no longer designing jewellery, Valerie Robertson's work was very highly regarded at the time, and similar work was commissioned from her by Zandra Rhodes for her Spring/Summer Collection 1980. |
Bibliographic reference | Du Plessis, ed. CHA CHA 2000. New Style. September / October 1979. pp19-22 |
Collection | |
Accession number | M.51-2003 |
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Record created | December 8, 2003 |
Record URL |
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