Exquisitely detailed and set with an iridescent abalone shell inlay, this pendant is made in the tradition of Indonesian silversmithing. Piece measures 0.75 inches across and 1.75 inches long (bail included in measurements).
- Detailed shield pendant
- Sterling silver with abalone shell
- Measures 0.75 x 1.75 inches
- Made in Bali, Indonesia
- Sold as a pendant. To add a chain please select a chain option.
Handcrafted: Artistically created by hand where beauty and imperfections go together wonderfully. Please accept and appreciate minor imperfections and variations which are true characteristics of this craft.
Pendant is sold as pendant only. To add a sterling silver snake chain, click here.
design: A marquise-shaped pendant with radiating openwork scrollwork framing a central abalone shell cabochon, the sterling silver oxidized to bring out the depth of the hand-filed detail.
size: 0.75 inches wide x 1.75 inches long, bail included.
material: Sterling silver with abalone shell inlay.
features: Openwork (pierced) scrollwork design, oxidized finish for contrast, marquise-cut abalone shell cabochon, beaded edge border, integrated bail
care: Wipe with a soft cloth after wear and store in a dry pouch away from moisture and perfume to keep the silver from tarnishing and the shell from clouding.
disclaimer: Because the shell is a natural material and the piece is hand-finished, the abalone's color play and the exact oxidized shading will vary slightly from pendant to pendant.
The Story
This pendant's pierced, radiating scrollwork is a hallmark of Balinese silverwork, where sheet silver is hand-sawed into lace-like openwork before being oxidized so the pattern reads clearly against the polished metal. The marquise silhouette and petal-like curls draw on motifs long used in Balinese ornament and temple carving, where dense, symmetrical scrollwork fills a form from center outward.
Abalone shell is a favored inlay in this region's silverwork for its shifting, iridescent color, which moves between green, blue and violet depending on the light. Setting a single cabochon at the center of an openwork field is a common composition in Balinese pendant design, letting the shell serve as a bright focal point against the intricacy of the surrounding metalwork.
While this design is marketed as a "shield" pendant for its faceted outline, its detailing is decorative rather than ceremonial, part of a long-running vocabulary of scrollwork patterns that Balinese silversmiths adapt across pendants, earrings and cuffs.
A piece like this begins as a flat sheet of sterling silver, into which a silversmith saws the openwork pattern by hand, piercing and filing each curl and petal individually before the outer shape is cut and the edge is finished with a fine beaded border. The silver is then oxidized, a chemical darkening worked into the recesses and buffed back from the raised surfaces, so the scrollwork stands out in relief. Last, the abalone shell is cut to a marquise cabochon and set into a hand-formed bezel at the center, a step that requires a precise fit since the shell cannot be reshaped once cut.
Craft & Materials
- Made In: Bali, Indonesia
- Craft Tradition: Balinese silversmithing
- Ideal For: Someone who wants a detailed statement pendant with a natural shell accent
- Wear It With: Layer on its own chain over a simple top, or pair with other oxidized silver pieces for a cohesive look
- Purpose: Everyday wear, layering piece, gifting
- Gemstone: Abalone shell
- Metal: Sterling silver
Abalone shell is prized less for gemological rarity than for its natural iridescence, a shifting play of blue, green and violet caused by the microscopic structure of its nacre. No two pieces of shell show quite the same pattern, which is part of why it's a favored inlay for one-of-a-kind accents in handmade silver jewelry.
Questions & Answers
Does this pendant come with a chain?
No, it's sold as the pendant only. A sterling silver snake chain can be added separately at checkout.
Is the abalone shell real, and will the color vary?
Yes, it's genuine abalone shell. Because it's a natural material, the exact color play and pattern will vary slightly from the piece pictured.
How do I keep the silver from tarnishing?
Store it in a dry pouch or box away from moisture and perfume, and wipe it with a soft cloth after wear. Avoid swimming or showering while wearing it.
Why does the silver look dark in some areas?
That's an intentional oxidized finish, hand-applied to the recesses of the scrollwork so the pierced pattern shows up in relief against the polished silver.
What size is the pendant?
It measures 0.75 inches across and 1.75 inches long, including the bail.
