Stunning Simba Sterling Silver Modernist Boomerang Links Necklace 1950/60s

Measurements: 19.5"L x .75"W (49.53cm x 3.81cm)

Markings: Simba Sterling

Weight: 10.6g

Stunning sterling silver necklace by Simba of Africa. Necklace features modernist boomerang style links that have a lightly hammered texture, connected by curved barbell style links. All hand-forged, it has been polished and looks amazing. No damage of any kind and little to no wear.

Mannequin is a life-size torso representation

Simba (Pretoria, 1954 to late 1970’s). Perhaps one splinter group of note that formed after the original Metal Art workshop broke up in 1953 was that of Messrs J. Joubert, Neil Dreyer (die sinker) and Stanford who began manufacturing jewelry and curios expressly for the tourist trade. They designed and produced unusual three dimensional African landscape and animal studies. Their workshop was located in Rosslyn near Pretoria. They worked in silver, silver plate and copper. Sometimes hardened plastic or a flat Perspex sheet as background material was mixed with metal cut-outs of three dimensional animal compositions. Collectors’ spoons with finials depicting a number of South African cities’ coats of arms were also produced. A background of woven grass used on some metal bracelets attest to the innovative and experimental approach of the workshop. The Simba workshop also used polished lion and leopard claws as center pieces in earrings and brooches, thereby contributing to a trend of using animal hair, claws and teeth in formal jewelry design during the decades that followed. The workshop lasted until around 1980. Perhaps because of increased competition, cheaper materials tended to be used in their later work. The Simba maker’s mark was twice registered with the South African Companies and Intellectual Property Registration Office, the first time on 02 June 1971 and then again on 04 July 1975. The maker’s mark registration was not renewed indicating that the company disbanded somewhere between the late 1970’s or early 1980’s. The earlier Simba ware was marked with the framed words AFRICA, Simba and Handmade as maker’s mark. In later work only the word Simba was used, and sometimes REGD (since 1971) was added. The Simba group also exported some of their work to Southern Rhodesia/Zimbabwe using the stamp VICTORIA FALLS on the inside of the clasp mounted brooches. Perhaps because of a limited manufacturing period and the fascinating African themes destined for the curio market, the Simba mark is often seen at collectors’ fairs and has retained its collectors’ interest.