Necklace for Catherine de Medici’s Bedroom

"I visited the beautiful Chateau of Chenonceau in the summer of 2001, and was inspired by the gorgeous bedroom of Catherine de Medici.  The Franco/Italian noblewoman was Queen Consort of France from 1547 until 1559, as the wife of King Henry II of France.

"Her bed is draped in embroidered scarlet silks, within a room embellished with sumptuous gilded plasterwork and marbled fireplace. The chateau is one of the loveliest glories of the French Renaissance."

Wendy Ramshaw

Top image
Detail: Ornamental Disc ColorCore with gold leaf,
gold-plated stainless steel, 15cm dia, 2002.
Photo George Gammer

Bottom images, left to right
1. Neck ring bound with metalised thread, gold plated stainless steel, dyed pearls and garnets, 2002.
2. Dyed red cord, dyed pearl, acrylic, metal and metalised thread, 2002.
3. 18ct yellow gold set with garnets hung from scarlet thread – pendant drop 19cm, 2002.