Spring Jewels 
3 May 2023
Spring Jewels 
326

Kristin Holeman

Enamel, opal, and sterling silver bird pendant necklace


The cloisonné bird and flower pendant brooch set with two boulder opals, suspended from the necklace of leaves, waterlilies, and heliconias; c. 2007
Sterling silver, 24k, 22k, 18k yellow gold
Signed Kristin Holeman
Inner circ. 17.50 in, pendant 4 x 2 in; Gross weight 91.3 dwts
Sold with original pouch
estimate: $1,000–1,500
result: $1,008
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Excerpt from letter written by the artist, Kristin Holeman, “The bird and flower are done in cloisonné enamel and are from the photograph my father, ornithologist Paul Schwartz, took in the 1950’s. This photograph has been published in numerous books, record jackets and calendars. The enamel is set in hand fabricated sterling silver with two Australian boulder opals and details of 24k, 22k, and 18k gold. The large leaves and spiked flower in silver are Heliconias. The others are water lilies. The waterlily flower is in 18k gold.”

This work will ship from Lambertville, New Jersey.

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Inspired by Nature

Kristin Holeman's Unique Jewelry

Art and nature play dual roles in Kristin Holeman’s work and spring from her family history. Her father was an ornithologist and her mother an interior designer, instilling in her from a young age both a respect for the natural world and an eye for beauty. Holeman taught herself metalworking, casting, fusing, and cloisonné enameling and has been crafting non-traditional jewelry since 1974. She has exhibited consistently at art fairs for decades and prefers not to define what she does, saying instead “I don't call myself a jeweler. I don't call myself an artist.”

Each of her creations is unique and inspired by the world around her and her experiences swimming, diving, snorkeling, and hiking. Holeman was awarded the 2012 Saul Bell Design Award for an enamel necklace and her work has been exhibited at the Renwick Gallery at the Smithsonian American Art Museum in Washington, D.C.

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