Design for the Verso of a Pendant with Three Large Flowers 1530 - 1573

Jan Collaert I designed this pendant verso sometime in the 16th century, now residing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It reflects the intricate tastes of the Renaissance period when jewelry was more than mere adornment; it was a symbol of status and identity. Collaert, working in the artistic hub of Antwerp, was part of a movement that saw the rise of the artisan. His designs offered a glimpse into the lives of the elite, where fashion was dictated by wealth and social standing. The pendant, with its floral motifs, speaks to the era’s appreciation for the natural world, carefully cultivated in private gardens and reflected in personal adornments. But there's more to it than meets the eye. Who would wear this pendant and for what purpose? It makes me consider the weight of beauty, its implications and the identities it seeks to perform. How does this object play into a larger narrative of class, gender, and the power structures of the time? Ultimately, this design invites us to reflect on the values we assign to objects and the stories they tell about ourselves and our societies.