necklace

Nancy Loo Bjorge

1939–2023

necklace, 1974

Where object was made: United States

Material/technique: reclaimed Chinese jade; fourteen-carat gold; cuttlefish casting

Dimensions:
Object Height/Width/Depth (Height x Width x Depth): 24.76 x 12.06 x 1.9 cm
Object Height/Width/Depth (Height x Width x Depth): 9 3/4 x 4 3/4 x 0 3/4 in

Credit line: Museum purchase: Gift of Robert A. Hiller in honor of Janet Dreiling

Accession number: 2010.0144

Not on display

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Past Presence

This necklace, cast in 14k gold and decorated with polished jade pieces, speaks to artist Nancy Loo Bjorge’s personal journey from her native China to her adopted home in Lawrence, Kansas. The jade, traditionally used in Chinese adornment and décor, once belonged to the artist’s mother. This necklace, like many of Bjorge’s designs, interacts with the wearer’s body and is illuminated by the careful repurposing of the jade.

Exhibition Label: "Material World: Adornment from Around the Globe," Jun-2014 My inspiration comes from a close examination of beautiful natural things as well as man-made objects. -Nancy Loo Bjorge Gems, jewels, and stones captivate us, despite the fact that they are often one of the smallest features of jewelry and adornment. These embellishments not only attract the eye, but can also reveal the culture and history of the artist who manipulated them. This necklace, cast in 14K gold and carefully decorated with polished jade pieces, speaks to the artist’s personal journey from her native China to her adopted home in Lawrence, Kansas. The jade, traditionally used in Chinese adornment and décor, once belonged to the artist’s mother. This necklace, like so many of Bjorge’s designs, interacts with the wearer’s body and is illuminated by the careful repurposing of the jade. by Abby Anderson Berkley Intern, Education