Andrew Grima (British, b. Italy, 1921–2007), Necklace, 1977, gold, Luristan bronze

Audio Description

This necklace was designed by British jeweler Andrew Grima in 1975. Grima was born in Italy in 1921 and died in 2007.

This necklace has a gold hoop that is hammered flat in places, giving it a textured look. The necklace has two prongs that connect vertically to a pendant. The square pendant has tattered looking edges at top and bottom and wavy, textured vertical sides. At the center a three-dimensional bronze animal is set. It looks like a goat and has a gold collar.

Label Copy

This necklace was designed by British jeweler Andrew Grima in 1975. Grima was born in Italy in 1921 and died in 2007.

A collector of varied and unusual objects, Grima designed this necklace around a Luristan bronze animal—probably from his personal collection. Luristan bronzes are a distinct body of metalwork produced between 1000 and 650 BCE. Found in Luristan or Lorestan—a western province of Iran—they were initially excavated in the late 1920s. Characterized by stylized humans and animals, the two are often combined to create fantastical creatures. This piece seems to resemble a commonly used goat form.

During the 1970s when this necklace was made, non-western and indigenous cultural styles became popular, and many designers adapted these looks. Here, Grima has used the animal as the focal point but placed it on a hammered gold backing with tattered edges. The original hoop also appears weather-beaten and contorted. Combining these elements, the artist presents us with a necklace that has both an ancient and a timeless look.

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