CONTEMPORARY NEW ZEALAND JEWELLERY

Mary Curtis

From 2023

Box of Seeds

A work where the wearer selects which form suits their mood for that moment of wearing. These forms carved from a range of different wood are not scientific representations rather impressions of. Seeds fascinate, beautiful structures full of so much potential life.

Earring Set, 9ct gold hooks with interchangeable earring units $1,350
Made from sterling silver, woods; Kowhai, Kauri, Lignum Vitae, Puriri, Rimu, Pohutukawa, Horoeka (lancewood). Found cedar box, muka string, sterling silver hooks

From 2022

Necklace, WOVEN OVAL, oxidised sterling silver with silk, 84cm long $1,900
Necklace, WOVEN BEAD, oxidised sterling silver with silk, 70cm long $1,900

Necklace, WOVEN CHAIN, oxidised sterling silver, 77cm long $5,000

Rule of Thirds Earrings, Kauri, Puriri and sterling silver   $280
Rule of Thirds Earrings, Kauri, Pohutukawa and sterling silver   $280
Rule of Thirds Earrings, Lignum vitae, Puriri and sterling silver   $280
Rule of Thirds Earrings, Kauri, Pohutukawa, Puriri and sterling silver   $280

From 2021

In 2020 I did a year-long course in permaculture which promotes a holistic, living-in-harmony-with-nature worldview. I now constantly question how I can make my practice more environmentally sustainable. As a maker I am interested in the life of all the materials I use, where they come from and where they end up. These two works are the start of a new direction. They are made from muka and dyed using natural dyes sourced from plants. Both the muka and plants for dying are all sourced within a 15-minute walk from my home.

Muka dyed with oxalis flowers, rhubarb root, eucalyptus bark, sterling silver, oxidised sterling silver $700

Muka dyed with oxalis flowers, Hebe flowers with wood ash and Tanekaha bark, sterling silver $700

From 2020

In this time of global chaos I want to make jewellery to soothe. These worry beads guide the hand to a repetitive calming movement that follow the rhythms of nature. The total number of worry beads in a necklace usually equals a prime number (multiples of 4 +1). Here each group of 4 marks one year, depicting the equinox and solstice through the dark/light circadian rhythm.

7 Years Worry Beads, Reconstituted kauri & rimu, stg silver, silk, 117cm long $1,500

4 Years Worry Beads, Reconstituted kauri & ebony, stg silver, silk 68cm long $900 Mary Curtis

1 Year Worry Beads, Reconstituted kauri & rimu, stg silver, silk $300
1 Year Worry Beads, Reconstituted kauri & ebony, stg silver, silk $300

From 2019

This work draws on the ancient tradition of mourning jewellery which was worn to commemorate those who had passed and used as a touchstone to remember them every day. Years of our mass consumerism and throwaway society are having a devastating impact on the natural world. The rate of animal extinction is scary, with literally dozens going extinct each day. A rate 1,000 greater than the natural rhythm.
These works are touchstones. They serve to remind us that our everyday choices of what we buy, the resources we use and how we dispose of them are critical.

Huia Beak Pendant, cowbone, stg silver   $1,100
Huia Beak Pendant, ebony, stg silver, 18ct gold   $1,200
Raven Beak Pendant, ebony, stg silver   $1,000

From 2018

Necklace, formica $2,000

From 2017

Fragmented Landscape Chain Blackened sterling silver, tin $1,500

Night Sky Chain Sterling silver, tin $1,500

From 2015

Gold Hook, single earring   18ct yellow gold, oxidised stg silver   $210
Yellow Drop, single earring   Plastic, oxidised stg silver   $160
Black Spring, single earring   Steel, oxidised stg silver   $160
Brown Brooch   Vintage button, stg silver, stainless steel   $500
Brooch with a hint of yellow   Plastic, resin, stg silver, stainless steel   $700

From 2013

Chain With Ovals $800
Oxidised stg silver, paint, 295cm long

Shiny Black Chain $550
Oxidised stg silver

Earrings, flattened ovals, oxidised stg silver   $190
Shiny black ovals with flattened rounds, oxidised stg silver   $190
Flattened oval spotted earrings, oxidised stg silver, paint   $250
Black Spotted Pendant, oxidised stg silver, paint   $270

From 2012

Earrings, silver, paint, wallpaper from $95 - $210 a pair

From 2011

Pendant, pink spotted white $900
Pendant, white spotted black $500

From 2010

White Brooch $1,500
Stg silver, silk, cotton, Stainless wire
Pink and Gold Brooch $1,200
Stg silver, wallpaper, resin, stainless wire

Brooch with pink centers $1,500
Silver, wallpaper

Brooch with yellow back $1,200
Silver, wallpaper, fabric

Pink & orange necklace $1,200
Oxidized silver, blanket

Black chain $900
Oxidiszed silver

From 2009

1 Brooch, stg silver, green wallpaper, doming resin, stainless steel $1,500
2 Brooch, stg silver, black wallpaper, doming resin, stainless steel $1,200

From 2008

1 Earrings Silver, wallpaper, paint $400
2 Earrings Silver, wallpaper, peridot beads $400

From 2007

1   Brooch   $600
     sterling silver, plastic, stainless steel
2   Pendant   $980
     sterling silver, plastic

From 2004
1. Brooch, sterling silver, gold leaf	2. Pendant, sterling silver, 24ct gold, cord	3. Pendant, sterling silver, oxidised sterling silver
4. Pendant, oxidised sterling silver, cord	5. Pendant, sterling silver, mild steel nut, cord	6. Pendant, sterling silver, cord
7. Pendant, oxidised sterling silver, cord	8. Pendant, sterling silver, 24ct gold, cord	9. Pendant, sterling silver, cord
10. Pendant, sterling silver, gold leaf, cord	11. Brooch, sterling silver	12. Brooch, oxidised sterling silver
13. Brooch, sterling silver	14. Brooch with pin, sterling silver & oxidised sterling silver	15. Pendant, Steel wire,oxidised sterling silver, cord
From 2003