Ear Pendant c. 20th century

These ear pendants were crafted by Ida ou Nadif Amazigh, and it's hard to put a date on them. The way the artist has worked with metal and stone reminds us that artmaking is a process of layering and building, of bringing together disparate elements into a cohesive whole. The pendants are made of silver and adorned with orange stones and enamel details. Notice the contrast between the cool, muted tones of the metal and the warm, vibrant hues of the stones. The surfaces have a slightly rough, tactile quality, suggesting the hand of the artist at work. The way that these little circles of enamel, set amongst the square stones, lift the eye. Each mark and gesture feels deliberate, like a carefully chosen word in a poem, contributing to the overall rhythm and harmony of the piece. These pendants remind me of the work of another great metal worker, Alexander Calder, in how they are both so beautiful and playful. It’s all about finding beauty in unexpected places and embracing the messy, imperfect nature of artmaking.