1970s Alex and Lee Silk Ribbon Necklace

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1970s Alex and Lee Silk Ribbon Necklace

About the Item

Ethnic-inspired, bulky necklace, made out of rope, silk ribbon, burgundy, pink and shades of green at the back with metal hook closure. Wooden (ivory?) beads and then metallic ribbon with braided silk covered in a metallic, gold plastic (?) coming to the center with a plastic tortoise shell bead. There is a ceramic or resin African bead attached and hanging from that is a copper glazed ornament, looking like an insect of abstract description. Orange, green and red with a pearlized bauble in the center. Iconic Alex & Lee “love + peace” eye cartouche is on the inside. MEASUREMENTS Length of ornament from necklace – 4” Width of ornament – 3” Length inside necklace from back to front – 7” Width around front of necklace – 4.5” Width around back of necklace - 1.5” Width around center of necklace – 3.25” ABOUT THE DESIGNER by Kasia Koniar When Geoffrey Beene and Bazaar’s Gwen Mazer are stunned by the beauty, as well as by the craftsmanship, you can be sure that you are in for something extraordinary. That can be said for jewelry designs of Alex & Lee. Wow! Is the best single word to describe these marvels. Something that is a la fois, over the top and yet remains absolutely stunning, fantastic, and bold, something that provokes an emotion the minute you lay your eyes upon it. It is so out there and yet it isn't an ounce of gaudy. In this case, I can say with confidence that we have transgressed the boundaries of jewelry making and entered the realm of theatricality and art. Alex Mate and Lee Brooks met in 1970 and became partners in life and work, which led to a 23 year long collaboration, interrupted tragically in 1992 by Alex’s death. The intimacy of the relationship was perhaps the single most important element, which allowed them such incredible fantasy and freedom apparent in the works. “ Within the meditation of Love and Peace lies our inspiration for creation. We view our jewelry as devotional talismans to adorn the temple of the body." I remember seeing Alex & Lee at the Marin City Flea Market in Northern California, shopping for elements to include in their pieces. More often than not, they would be accompanied by Sandra Sakata, the owner of the avant garde boutique OBIKO. The most creative minds of our era were touched by these creations of Alex and Lee Jewelry, which have ravaged the pages of Vogue, Bazaar and W, and found their ways to the hearts as well as the private collections of the likes of Cher, Elton John, Diana Ross, Ann Getty. The Smiling Shiva Lingum piece even adorned Gala Dali’s neck as the bride of the master of Surrealism, Salvatore Dali. He himself was probably one of the biggest fans of the jewelry, quite an endorsement, to say the least. Lee was able to recover and continue with the creations but it is the early pieces that were created by their collaboration, that are the most coveted.

Creator:
Alex + Lee
Dimensions:
Length: 24 in (609.6 mm)
Place of Origin:
United States
Period:
1970-1979
Date of Manufacture:
1970's
Condition:
Wear consistent with age and use.
Seller Location:
Los Angeles, CA
Reference Number:
1stDibs: U0906234939