Necklace 1880 - 1890

This necklace, crafted by George W. Shiebler & Co., presents a compelling study in form and texture. The chain, composed of uniformly linked loops, creates a foundational structure from which a series of golden medallions are suspended. Notice how the surface of each medallion is uniquely hammered, catching the light and fragmenting the smooth, reflective surface of the metal. This deliberate texturing serves not merely as decoration but as a disruption of idealized form. In semiotic terms, the classical profiles imprinted on each medallion evoke a sense of historical continuity, yet this is immediately destabilized by the rough, almost violent, treatment of the material. The hammered surfaces undermine any fixed or singular reading of beauty. Consider how this necklace invites us to reconsider the very nature of adornment, challenging established meanings and values through its unique manipulation of medium and form.