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Not on display

The Pagan Collection

Choker
late 1938 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

This dramatic necklace was part of Elsa Schiaparelli's Pagan Collection of Autumn 1938. Schiaparelli was famous for her creative fashion designs and unexpected surreal touches. Her bold approach to colour is demonstrated by this necklace, which sets purple velvet bows against an acid yellow grosgrain ribbon choker. Each bow has a gilt metal pine-cone suspended from it on a thin chain.

The Pagan Collection featured themes and motifs drawn from nature - blossom, leaves, and even insects. The Museum also has a hat from this collection that is trimmed with crawling beetles (see T.427-1974).

Object details

Categories
Object type
TitleThe Pagan Collection (named collection)
Materials and techniques
Silk and velvet ribbons with gilt metal in the shape of pine cones
Brief description
Choker of silk grosgrain ribbon, velvet bows and gilt, 'The Pagan Collection', designed by Schiaparelli, Paris, late 1938.
Physical description
Yellow grosgrain ribbon choker, decorated with purple velvet ribbon bows and gilt metal in the shape of pine cones suspended from each bow.
Style
Production typeHaute couture
Credit line
Given by Miss Ruth Ford
Object history
Donated by Miss Ruth Ford, who also donated other Schiaparelli garments and accessories to us. (see items T.392 to 396-1974; and T.411 to 413-1974)
Subject depicted
Summary
This dramatic necklace was part of Elsa Schiaparelli's Pagan Collection of Autumn 1938. Schiaparelli was famous for her creative fashion designs and unexpected surreal touches. Her bold approach to colour is demonstrated by this necklace, which sets purple velvet bows against an acid yellow grosgrain ribbon choker. Each bow has a gilt metal pine-cone suspended from it on a thin chain.

The Pagan Collection featured themes and motifs drawn from nature - blossom, leaves, and even insects. The Museum also has a hat from this collection that is trimmed with crawling beetles (see T.427-1974).
Bibliographic reference
Fashion : An Anthology by Cecil Beaton. London : H.M.S.O., 1971 355
Collection
Accession number
T.413-1974

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Record createdJuly 6, 2007
Record URL
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