Choker
Chanel jewelry has been of fine and consistant quality from the time Gabrielle Chanel first introduced costume pieces into her collections and made faux jewelry fashionable. This necklace is sophisticated example of the Chanel aesthetic. The construction of the piece is deceptive; while it appears that two chain links hold each oval element, in fact, each element is topped by extra gold ring which gives the impression of a second chain. Chains feature very prominently in Chanel's designs, particularly in the post-World War II era, when she used gold-tone chains to weigh the hems of her suit jackets and, run through with leather bands, as the straps of her handbags. This necklace not only refers to this characateristic design element, it follows Chanel's belief that jewelry need not be made of precious materials to make a statement.
Artwork Details
- Title: Choker
- Design House: House of Chanel (French, founded 1910)
- Designer: Gabrielle Chanel (French, Saumur 1883–1971 Paris)
- Date: 1954–59
- Culture: French
- Medium: metal
- Credit Line: Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of H. Gregory Thomas, 1959
- Object Number: 2009.300.1519
- Curatorial Department: The Costume Institute
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Multiple artists/makers
fall/winter 1987–88
Multiple artists/makers
spring/summer 2009–10
Multiple artists/makers
fall/winter 2012–13
House of Chanel
Gabrielle Chanel
1937
House of Chanel
Gabrielle Chanel
1937–38
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