Barbara Anton (American, 1926–2007), Potpourri of Pearls Necklace, circa 1968, gold, pearls, diamonds

Audio Description

Designed by Barbara Anton, this necklace was made around 1968. Anton was an American jeweler who lived from 1926–2007.

Round and thick, this necklace is made up entirely of many pearls of varying sizes, shapes, and pastel shades. It comes to a point at the center front. Textured rope-like shapes of gold twist in and around the pearls. Many of the pearls have a misshapen gold nugget on top.

Label Copy

Designed around 1968 by Barbara Anton, this necklace was made around 1968. Anton was an American jeweler who lived from 1926–2007.

While Anton did not design exclusively for the pearl, it was a favorite gem because it could be used just as it was found in nature. A sumptuous piece, in this necklace, Anton employs irregularly shaped gems in various naturally occurring soft pastel shades. Coils of gold snake through the clusters of pearls. Many are pinned in place by rough-headed nuggets of gold. The reverse is as beautifully worked as the front and the necklace is fully articulated, or hinged, allowing it to rest comfortably on the body.

In the first half of the twentieth century, lady-like graduated pearl strands adorned the necks of everyone from Gabrielle ‘Coco’ Chanel to Jacqueline Kennedy. Veering significantly from the norm, Anton offered this updated alternative to the unassuming yet elegant 1950s-style necklace. This piece was awarded highest honors by the Cultured Pearl Associations of America and Japan.

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