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Robert Lee Morris Brass and Shell Nautilus Necklace, 1975

$4,500
£3,393.02
€3,909.98
CA$6,242.72
A$6,994.93
CHF 3,641.13
MX$85,572.21
NOK 46,217.38
SEK 43,651.76
DKK 29,188.82
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About the Item

Robert Lee Morris Brass and Shell Nautilus Necklace created very early in his career in 1975. This powerful bold nature of this statement necklace is part of a series called the Nautilus Series, whereby variations of this theme were very important in establishing the brand image of Robert Lee Morris. Teaching himself how to make jewelry in 1970, on a craft commune, Morris quickly developed a strong personal and iconic signature with this design. The graduated dome design was part of what he called his quest to make geometry soft and liquid. Liquid Geometry became his early motto, trying to take hard edged forms and turning them into soft flexible, body hugging jewelry. The brass domes are all hollow, with a flat back soldered on. Then these are turned into beads by drilling a hole in the top and bottom and making enough of them in graduating sizes to extend around the entire neck. The use of flat white seashells as the separating beads in the front of the piece makes this highly unusual. The name Nautilus was inspired by the movie Twenty Thousand Leagues Under the Sea, and the futuristic submarine named the Nautilus. The design of that ship was highly influential to the future designer, who first saw the movie when he was a child. Nautilus also implies sacred geometry, the Fibonacci number series and beautiful simple design principles. As this very early necklace is highly important in Morris' career development, it was also used by Geoffrey Beene in his 1979 Fall fashion show and was given strong editorial coverage in the fashion magazines. A must have for the avid collector of this ground breaking jewelry and sculpture artist. Created in 1975, this piece was shown at Sculpture to Wear Gallery in the Plaza Hotel in 1975. This is the famous gallery of artist jewelry that launched the career of RLM.
  • Creator:
  • Metal:
  • Stone:
  • Stone Cut:
  • Weight:
    7 oz
  • Dimensions:
    Height: 2 in (50.8 mm)Width: 2 in (50.8 mm)Depth: 2 in (50.8 mm)Diameter: 6 in (152.4 mm)Length: 15 in (381 mm)
  • Style:
  • Place of Origin:
  • Period:
  • Date of Manufacture:
    1975
  • Condition:
    Wear consistent with age and use. This is a vintage original handmade brass and shell necklace, one of a kind, and full of character, aged but glamourous. some light marks on metal.
  • Seller Location:
    New York, NY
  • Reference Number:
    1stDibs: LU3141219156472

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