Collier met hanger van imitatieschildpad c. 1930 - 1932

This necklace with a pendant made of imitation tortoiseshell was crafted by Willem van Laar. Imitation tortoiseshell, isn't that interesting? It is a way to replicate the beauty of nature while trying to protect it. Imagine the hands of the artist, carefully shaping each link and carving the pendant. It’s an act of transformation. The artist transforms raw material into something that can adorn the body, and maybe even tell a story. The pendant’s design looks like a stylized peacock with fan-like plumage. I wonder what it meant to Van Laar? Was it a symbol of pride, beauty, or something else entirely? When I look at this piece, I think about the history of adornment, and the human desire to create beauty. Each piece is a continuation of the conversation, building on the ideas and innovations of those who came before. It is a dialogue across time, where artists respond to, challenge, and inspire one another.