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Grete Prytz Kittelsen is highly regarded as the grand dame of Norwegian Modernist design. This necklace of interlinking geometric shapes came in three colour combinations of green, blue and white.
Articulated necklace designed by Grete Prytz Kittelsen in 1952, for J Tolstrup, Norway. © Grete Prytz Kittelsen
Date
c 1952
Designed by
Grete Prytz Kittelsen
Made from
Silver, enamel
Made in
Oslo, Norway for J Tolstrup
Museum reference
Norwegian designer, Grete Prytz Kittelsen (1917-2010), was regarded as one of the most significant figures among a new generation of Nordic Modernist Designers.
From the late 1940s she designed jewellery and unique silver objects for her family's long-established firm, J Tostrup in Oslo. Her innovative jewellery incorporates free hand engraving and enamel.
She created inexpensive pieces of high quality that targeted a younger generation. The Modernist artist, Piet Mondrian, was a key influence on Kittelsen’s work, which can be seen in her use of primary colour and geometric form.
From the mid-1940s designers and makers from Scandinavia and Finland led the way within the Modernist jewellery movement. Individual artists and designers pushed aside traditional ideas of production and adopted new influences - often drawing inspiration from the natural environment. They created unique beautiful works that demonstrated restraint, simplicity and functionality.
Domino ring, designed by Grete Prytz Kittelsen for J Tolstrup, Norway, c 1952 © Grete Prytz Kittelsen
The Domino ring was designed as an affordable piece of jewellery, to target a younger generation of consumers. The ring came in eight different colours and was also adjustable.
Its name derived from the playing piece but also a popular song of the day and soon became known within the manufacturer as the 'teenager ring'.
Med punkter (With Dots) brooch, designed by Grete Prytz Kittelsen for J Tolstrup, Norway, c 1953 © Grete Prytz Kittelsen
The Med Punkter brooch was a Modernist response to the filigree brooch that was worn as part of traditional Norwegian dress. This example is her initial design, later iterations came in gold and with enamel decoration.
She replaced the traditional foliage designs with convex circles stamped from sheet silver. This brooch is one of her earlier versions; later editions featured gilding and enamelled dots.
Presented by the Art Fund.
Image header: Detail of Articulated necklace designed by Grete Prytz Kittelsen in 1952, for J Tolstrup, Norway. © Grete Prytz Kittelsen
