Artist Jewelry by Chris Steenbergen silver necklace and pendant 1969

Chris Steenbergen

Silver
Currently unavailable via Gallerease

• About the artwork

  This silver necklace and pendant from 1969 by the well-known Dutch contemporary jewellery artist, Chris Steenbergen, serves as a collectible piece of future antique jewellery. A grand circle pivots around a cylinder, which suspends from its necklace ofhinging cannulas. Being a piece 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 jewel is pictured on page 32 in the catalog of the Museum Boijmans Van Beuningen, Rotterdam,Netherlands, named 'Chris Steenbergen, goldsmith' published in 1985.

  Antique jewelry object group: necklace and pendant (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. 1969
    -  (events and facts in 1969)
  
  Material: 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.A more 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: Both necklace and pendant are seperately hallmarked with the Dutch control mark representing a standing lion with the number 1 for silver 925 (Sterling silver). In use since 1953. And with Chris Steenbergen's master mark.
    -  (more info on hallmarks)
  
  Dimensions: Pendant height 12,20 cm (4,80 inch) and diameter of circle is 6,77 cm (2,67 inch). Length of each link is 2,50 cm (0,98 inch) and total length chain is 69,00 cm (27,17 inch).Both ends of the necklace are made as a closure and when closed look as a normal link.
  
  Weight: 92,90 gram (59,73 dwt)
  
  Reference Nº: 13262-0100
  
  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!