Physalis thumbnail 1
Not currently on display at the V&A

Physalis

Earring
2006 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Nora Fok's intricate three dimensional jewels show her ability to capture the fragility and transient beauty of nature, her mastery of knitting and weaving in nylon filament and her vivid appreciation of colour.

These earrings are based on the Physalis, or Cape gooseberry, with its bright orange berry hidden within a brown, leaf-like outer shell. The berry is of knitted nylon while the outer shell is that of a real Physalis which has been treated so that just the skeleton remains.

Fok has written that she 'always had an affinity with nylon because of its unique qualities, light in weight, translucent, warm to the touch. It can be dyed and pigmented and is strong, becoming suitable to wear when transformed into jewellery'.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Parts
This object consists of 2 parts.

  • Earring
  • Earring
TitlePhysalis
Materials and techniques
Dyed and knitted nylon monofilament and skeletonised physalis (Cape gooseberry) shells
Brief description
'Physalis' earrings, dyed and knitted nylon monofilament and skeletonised physalis (Cape gooseberry) shells. Designed and made by Nora Fok. England, 2007.
Physical description
Pair of earrings, each of which consists of a sphere of orange knitted nylon filament hanging within a skeletonised physalis shell.
Dimensions
  • Length: 7.5cm
Credit line
Supported by the Friends of the V&A
Subject depicted
Summary
Nora Fok's intricate three dimensional jewels show her ability to capture the fragility and transient beauty of nature, her mastery of knitting and weaving in nylon filament and her vivid appreciation of colour.

These earrings are based on the Physalis, or Cape gooseberry, with its bright orange berry hidden within a brown, leaf-like outer shell. The berry is of knitted nylon while the outer shell is that of a real Physalis which has been treated so that just the skeleton remains.

Fok has written that she 'always had an affinity with nylon because of its unique qualities, light in weight, translucent, warm to the touch. It can be dyed and pigmented and is strong, becoming suitable to wear when transformed into jewellery'.
Collection
Accession number
M.11:1, 2-2008

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Record createdMay 8, 2008
Record URL
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