Collier met schakels van wajangpoppen uitgesneden in imitatieschildpad c. 1930 - 1932

This necklace with wayang puppet links in imitation tortoise shell was made by Willem van Laar, though we don't know when. You can see how he repeated the same basic oval shape to make each link, but within it, he carves unique figures, almost like miniature worlds. The imitation tortoise shell is interesting; there’s a tension between wanting to mimic nature, but doing so through a manufactured substance. If you look closely, you’ll see how the surface is smooth and almost polished, so the light plays across it in a really subtle way. The colours are so muted, and seem to shimmer like skin. The wajang figures are dark and solid and give a real feeling of depth and volume. It is a sort of reverse cameo, where what stands out is the silhouette. It reminds me of the work of Sophie Taeuber-Arp, with that same focus on simplicity, craft, and a hint of playful abstraction. Isn’t it amazing how such different approaches to making can create such a rich conversation across time?