The “Bones Necklace” is a piece of jewelry designed by Alexander Calder, dating back to around 1940. It is associated with the Expressionism art movement and serves as an example of Calder’s foray into the genre of jewelry design. This work showcases Calder’s innovative approach to wearable art, emphasizing form and abstraction.
The artwork itself is a necklace that features a series of bone-like elements. These elements are dark in color, which starkly contrasts against the lighter background upon which they rest. Each bone-shaped piece is irregular and asymmetrical, lending a naturalistic and perhaps primal character to the piece. They are strung together with cord, tied at intervals with knots that appear to be fashioned from a golden material, adding a delicate touch of color to the predominantly dark necklace. The necklace’s structure allows it to spread out in a semi-circular fashion, culminating at the ends with what seem to be clasping mechanisms, also in gold-toned material. The emphasis on bold shapes and the expressive use of form aligns with the principles of Expressionism, where evoking an emotional or expressive reaction is a key goal.
