Choker

Gabrielle Chanel|House of Chanel

1954–59 · metal · Costume Institute

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.

Artist

Gabrielle Chanel|House of Chanel

Date

1954–59

Medium

metal

Culture

French

Department

Costume Institute

Credit line

Brooklyn Museum Costume Collection at The Metropolitan Museum of Art, Gift of the Brooklyn Museum, 2009; Gift of H. Gregory Thomas, 1959