Serie Kasten (Box Series) Necklace With Pendants And Box

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See more objects with the tag stone, geometric, interchangeable, blue.

Object Timeline

1993	Work on this object began.
2016	We acquired this object. We photographed this object. We photographed this object.
2017	We photographed this object. We exhibited this object.
2024	You found it!

Serie Kasten (Box Series) Necklace With Pendants And Box

This is a Necklace with Pendants and Box. It was designed by Hermann Jünger. It is dated 1993 and we acquired it in 2016. Its medium is lapis lazuli, hematite, gold, painted wood (box). It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department.

This necklace with interchangeable components is one of Jünger’s later works in which he allows the wearer to decide which pendants to string on the fine gold wire, encouraging a further relationship between maker and wearer. When the necklace is not being worn, the individual components have a separate life as an abstract composition within the compartments of the box.

This object was donated by Susan Lewin. It is credited The Susan Grant Lewin Collection, Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.

A rectangular vanity case with a watch and pencil unseen constructed from a centered lapis lazuli long hexagonal panel with triangular and baguette cut diamonds at opposite ends of the form. A pattern of hexagonal geometric flowers with round diamond centers are placed in a shallow zig zag pattern with an additional flower set in each corner. A short diamond bar with a middle baguette-cut stone is sandwiched in between two bars of equal size adorned with round-cut diamonds connecting the flowers and could be interpreted as a vine. Smooth, low, unfaceted rubies and emeralds are cut into a simple design of leaves that surround the flowers, mostly alternating gemstones. A diamond bar clasp is situated on the front and centered. All diamonds are set in white gold. The photograph captures the object displaying its top, front and left side views with a cast shadow and reflection against a white surface.

Vanity Case, Watch, And Pencil, Floral
lapis lazuli, baguette and round diamonds, enamel, interior: mirrored plate....
Lent by Private Collection.
13.2016.25

A horizontal rectangular vanity case crafted of lapis lazuli marquetry in a central panel on the lid. Pieces of segmented coral and a row of small round diamonds in the shape of a symmetrical scrolling cloud known as a ruyi, are centered. The ruyi borders a circular jade floral and leaf pattern, on opposite edges, facing left and right and a straight coral and diamond row borders thin lapis lazuli on both left and right edges. The front edge contains larger pieces of fragmented coral bordering the front panels that mirror the segments on the lid except for a centered button clasp with three rows of round diamonds surrounded by a border of red enamel in the shape of an ellipse with straight sides. The vanity case could fit in the palm of your hand and might feel heavy and cold because of the stone, The photograph captures the object displaying the top lid and front views revealing a reflection against a white surface.

Vanity Case
lapis lazuli, carved jade, carved ruyi, coral, diamonds, lacquer, mirrored....
Lent by Private Collection.
13.2016.89

A rectangular cigarette case with a lapis lazuli marquetry lid with a design consisting of mostly triangular and four-sided polygon forms. A carved green jade segment of a scrolling floral design is centered and horizontally placed with a diamond bar set in platinum placed above and below the motif. A rounded green enameled bar with gently rounded corners and diamond reeds border the lid on both top and bottom edges while a cluster of round diamonds embellishes all corners on the lid. Of the two sides seen in the photograph, they both have lapis panels in place where gold stripes accent the tops and bottoms of each side. However the front panel is enhanced with a rectangular placed platinum and gold framed clasp of diamonds. The three seen corners of the case are adorned with mother of pearl flutes with a row of diamonds above and below the design with a gold border traveling around the object above the bottom row of diamonds. The vanity case could fit in the palm of your hand and might be heavy for its size and cold to the touch from the stone. The photograph captures the object displaying the top, front and side views with a reflection against a white surface.

Cigarette Case, Leaf Motif
lapis lazuli, enamel, carved jade, mother-of-pearl, diamonds, gold, platinum.
Lent by Private Collection.
13.2016.88

Our curators have highlighted 2 objects that are related to this one.

Set Of 12 Bracelet/earring Attachments And Screwdriver (France)

Bracelet (France), 20th century
plastic.
Museum purchase from Decorative Arts Association Acquisition and Monet....
1989-37-6

Earring
hematite.
1959-104-3-a/c

Its dimensions are

H x W x D (case open): 2.3 × 15.6 × 29.1 cm (7/8 × 6 1/8 × 11 7/16 in.)

It has the following markings

Holder, lower section, between cavities for pandants and necklace: "76" (stamped) / silver disk with cypher / "93" (stamped)

Cite this object as

Serie Kasten (Box Series) Necklace With Pendants And Box; Designed by Hermann Jünger (German, 1928 - 2005); lapis lazuli, hematite, gold, painted wood (box); H x W x D (case open): 2.3 × 15.6 × 29.1 cm (7/8 × 6 1/8 × 11 7/16 in.); The Susan Grant Lewin Collection, Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum; 2016-34-54-a/f

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Jewelry of Ideas: Gifts from the Susan Grant Lewin Collection.

Short URL http://cprhw.tt/o/R36Az/
Accession Number 2016-34-54-a/f
Object ID 554917353