Norwegian Designer Bjørn Østern for Per Killingmo Sterling Silver Abstract Modernist Corpus Kinetic Pendant/Brooch Necklace Circa 1970s

Measurements: Pendant 1.75"L x 1.75"W x .3"Thick (4.45cm x 4.45cm x .76cm)            Chain: 20"L (50.80cm)

Markings: Pendant/Brooch: Østern - Per Killingmo Maker's Mark - Sterling - 925S - Norway

Chain: D inside a Circle 925 Italy

Weight: 21.7g

An absolutely superb piece by the iconic Norwegian designer Østern. Created during the 2 year period he worked for Per Killingmo in Oslo, Norway. This kinetic style design of repetitively put together smaller elements, was experimental and highly expressive. Pulling from the design elements of the Corpus Series he created for David Andersen and bridging the later small scale production of handmade jewelry from Østern’s own workshop, which he ran since 1960, using techniques demanding countless hours of patient work. This piece features a necklace bale and a pinback and has been professionally polished. I have paired it with a hefty small mariner link Italy sterling chain. It is in exceptional condition and a very rare and highly sought after collector's piece. 

Mannequin is a life-size torso representation

Bjørn Sigurd Østern worked with the David Andersen company on a regular basis 1961-73 as well as from 1974 until 1985. Studying at the National College of Art and Design (NCAD) 1956-61, Østern had been awarded ‘Best Student’. He spent 1963 in the US on a scholarship from the diamond company ‘de Beers Consolidated Mines’ and he held exhibitions in New York in 1964 and 1965. One of Østern’s most well known pieces, a stylized boat shaped silver pendant named Bjørns Lykkebåt (Bjørns Ship of Good Fortune) was part of the David Andersen Troll series. In 1966 Østern launched a new series of jewelry in silver, characterized by the use of enamel in bright colors and modern but also nostalgic forms inspired by ancient Nordic symbols. Although Østern was of the greatest importance for the jewelry design at David-Andersen, he also designed corpus pieces/silver hollow-ware. Sometimes sculptural jewelry in a playful way borrowed their forms from the corpus production. 
In 1973-74 Bjørn Sigurd Østern worked with the company of Per Killingmo, Oslo, where he designed some very characteristic pieces of kinetic jewelry, repetitively put together of smaller elements. The style, being experimental and highly expressive, bridges the later small scale production of handmade jewelry from Østern’s own workshop, which he ran since 1960, using techniques demanding countless hours of patient work.