Ear Pendant c. 20th century

These silver ear pendants, inlaid with stones and enamel, were made by Ida ou Nadif Amazigh, a Berber artist. I imagine the artist carefully considering each detail, filing and shaping the silver, deciding where to place the stones. And then the little dabs of enamel, a tiny flower in blue and yellow. Making jewelry is all about close observation and craftsmanship. Each pendant echoes the other, yet each is distinct, bearing the mark of the maker’s hand. The balance of shapes and colors really makes the piece. The square stones contrasting with the circles of enamel. The silver gleaming against the warm red hues. It reminds me of a time when I was working on a series of paintings using a similar palette. Color relationships, right? How you feel when looking at the same colors in two different things.