Hanger van imitatieschildpad met dansend paar c. 1900 - 1970

This pendant was made by Willem van Laar from imitation tortoise shell and depicts a dancing couple. I wonder what kind of dance they are doing, and what is the setting? It could be a formal waltz, or perhaps it’s a folk dance full of exuberance and improvisation. Look at the way the figures are caught in mid-motion, arms outstretched and legs lifted. Do they communicate a sense of joy and spontaneity? I imagine Van Laar carefully selecting the material for its color and texture. The imitation tortoise shell must have been chosen for its rich, warm tones, and the way it mimics the natural material. It's interesting to think about how artists are always playing with materials and forms, taking inspiration from what came before, and then adding their own twist. There is this ongoing conversation across time! As an artist, there's something magical in that exchange, in feeling connected to this long lineage of creative minds, each one inspiring the next.