Hanger van imitatieschildpad met dansend paar c. 1900 - 1970

This pendant of a dancing couple in faux tortoise shell was made by Willem van Laar. The lines are so clean and precise, almost like a stencil, but then the material itself has this organic, stripy quality. It’s a real mix of control and chance, kind of like dancing, I suppose. I’m drawn to how the artist used this imitation material. It gives the piece an almost nostalgic feel, like something you’d find in your grandma’s attic. The way the light plays with the surface adds depth. See how the shadows create a subtle movement. Look at the dancer's lifted leg: you can imagine him frozen in mid-step as he cuts a rug with his partner. It's a simple gesture, but it conveys so much energy. You know, this piece reminds me a little of the work of Sophie Taeuber-Arp, but with a folkier, more intimate touch. It shows how even the smallest objects can carry so much charm. Art is all about these little conversations across time, right? There are no rules!