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

Pendant

1890-1910 (made)
Artist/Maker
Place of origin

Sir Alfred Gilbert was one of turn-of-the-century Britain's most prominent sculptors. His most famous public work is Eros in Piccadilly circus, London. Eros is made of aluminium, and Gilbert's interest in experimenting with metal also led him to design highly distinctive pieces of jewellery. Many of these used wire, set with inexpensive materials such as glass, shell, or semi-precious stones. Their spontaneous and informal appearance reflects the fact that Gilbert's jewellery was often made on the spur of the moment for friends or family.

Gilbert did occasionally create formal jewels, which showcased his unusual style in more precious materials. These included a mayoral chain for the town of Preston and a presidential badge and chain for the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours, of which he was a member.


Object details

Categories
Object type
Materials and techniques
Hand-wrough iron wire and shell
Brief description
Pendant of iron wire and shell, designed and made by Sir Alfred Gilbert, England, probably 1890-1910
Physical description
Pendant of iron wire and shell, designed and made by Sir Alfred Gilbert, England, probably 1890-1910
Dimensions
  • Height: 6.1cm
  • Width: 3.0cm
  • Depth: 1.2cm
Style
Credit line
Given by Mr Sigismund Goetze in the name of the artist
Summary
Sir Alfred Gilbert was one of turn-of-the-century Britain's most prominent sculptors. His most famous public work is Eros in Piccadilly circus, London. Eros is made of aluminium, and Gilbert's interest in experimenting with metal also led him to design highly distinctive pieces of jewellery. Many of these used wire, set with inexpensive materials such as glass, shell, or semi-precious stones. Their spontaneous and informal appearance reflects the fact that Gilbert's jewellery was often made on the spur of the moment for friends or family.

Gilbert did occasionally create formal jewels, which showcased his unusual style in more precious materials. These included a mayoral chain for the town of Preston and a presidential badge and chain for the Royal Institute of Painters in Watercolours, of which he was a member.
Collection
Accession number
M.82-1934

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Record createdJanuary 9, 2008
Record URL
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