Artist Jewelry by Chris Steenbergen silver and gold brooche 1972

Chris Steenbergen

GoldSilver
Currently unavailable via Gallerease

• About the artwork

  This 14K yellow gold and silver brooch from 1972 by the well-known Dutch contemporary jewellery artist, Chris Steenbergen, serves as a collectible piece of future antique jewellery. This design illustrates interplay of contours in the shape of a squareouter line, a circular negative inner space and an oval profile. Being an example of minimalistic abundance, this jewel is a wearable statement.

  Upon the purchase of this jewel, we will add the (Dutch) booklet 'Chris Steenbergen' by Marjan Unger (Stichting Fonds BKVB, Amsterdam, December 2000).

  This particular brooch is pictured on page 36 in the catalog of the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam, Netherlands, named 'Chris Steenbergen, goldsmith' published in 1985.

  Antique jewelry object group: brooch (artist jewelry)
  
  Condition: excellent condition
    -  (more info on our condition scale)
  
  Country of origin: Netherlands
  
  Style: Art Jewelry - Art jewelry is created with a variety of materials, not just precious metals and gems, and forms a counterbalance to the use of "precious materials" in regular (fine) jewelry. Art jewelry should be compared to expressions of art in othermedia such as glass, wood, plastics and clay. (from: Wikipedia)or more info on styles
  
  Period: ca. 1972
    -  (events and facts in 1972)
  
  Material: 14k yellow gold and silver.
    -  (more info on precious metals)
  
  Extra information: Chris Steenbergen (1920-2007) is one of the few well know Dutch artist jewelers goldsmith silversmith in the second half of the 20th Century. Participated in many exibitions in many countries and is mentioned in many books on contemporary jewelry art. Amore extended explanation on his live and works are to be found on our Chris Steenbergen glossary page.
  
  Our complete collection of: Chris Steenbergen jewelry.
  
  Hallmarks: The Dutch control mark representing an oak leaf with the number 585, for 14K gold, that is in use since 1953. And the Dutch control mark representing a sword with the number 925 for silver 925 (Sterling silver). In use since 1955. And no master mark of Chris Steenbergen.
    -  (more info on hallmarks)
  
  Dimensions: 4,80 cm (1,89 inch) x 4,75 cm (1,87 inch) x 1,70 cm (0,67 inch)
  
  Weight: 34,60 gram (22,25 dwt)
  
  Reference Nº: 13262-0108
  
  Copyright photography: Adin, fine antique jewelry
  
• About the artist

  Chris Steenbergen was a Dutch jeweller. He went to the Instituut voor Kunstnijverheidsonderwijs in Amsterdam from 1939 to 1942 and worked mostly with gold and silver. He lived and worked in Amsterdam. His jewels are known for their simple forms and monumental appearance, causing them to be worn a lot by men too.

  During the Second World War Chris Steenbergen followed his art education at the Kunstnijheidsinstituut in Amsterdam, later on better known as the Gerrit Rietveld Academie. He completed his education as a gold- and silversmith in 1946 and decided to focus on manufacturing jewellery. After his graduation Chris briefly worked with other well known jewellery designers such as Archibald Dumbar and Esther Swart-Hudig. Although he worked as an independent goldsmith, he was also forced to make a living by executing commissioned work; such as candlesticks, clocks, table settings and toilet accessories. In this period his work was characterised as classic golden jewellery with precious stones and brilliants. Later on he gradually moved to more robust and basic forms. Because of the often rudimental forms of designs, his jewelry is worn by both men and women. 

  

  Chris Steenbergen at work

  Exhibitions Chris Steenbergen 

  Between 1950 and (at least) 1985 he had at least 60 exhibitions in museums and art galeries in the Netherlands, Belgium, France, Canada, Germany, Japan, and Curaçao. Chris Steenbergen is mentioned in around 13 books about contemporary jewellers and his complete archive is kept in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands in the so-called CODA archives. (CODA is a library, museum and national archive keeper)

  On the occasion of his 65th birthday a retrospective took place in Museum Boijmans - Van Beuningen in Rotterdam. He received the award by the Foundation for Visual Arts, Design and Architecture in 2000 for his complete ouvre. As a member of the Society of Cooperating Craft Artists (GSA) he exhibited his jewelry regularly. 

  

  The affiche to announce the exihibition at the Museum Boijmans-van Beuningen on the occasion of his 65th birthday

  Designs by Chris Steenbergen 

  Characteristic of Steenbergen's jewelery designs are sleek and simple shapes that arise from some basic shapes like the square, the circle and the ellipse. In combination with gold and silver Steenbergen also processed other materials such as colored perspex, ebonite, rock crystal and slate.

  

  A good example of a ring with minimalistic design an basic forms  

  The developments in the visual arts was a source of his inspiration. Bauhaus, the sculptures by artists such as Henry Moore and Antoine Pevsner and abstract constructivism also influenced his designs. Later Steenbergen was especially inspired by the architectural style of the 1980's and 1990s.  

  Interested in seeing more work of Chris Steenbergen? Please have a look at our collection at Gallerease

  Looking for more Jewellery? Please have a look at our collection!