Vintage Mies De Wilde Brutalist Sterling Silver Pearl Pendant Necklace

An impressive Brutalist pendant by the Belgian silversmith Mies De Wilde, crafted in sterling silver and set with a white cultured pearl. Mies De Wilde (1932–2009) was an important Belgian silversmith and one of the innovators of Belgian jewellery design from the 1950s onwards. His work was shown, among other places, at Expo 58, and several of his pieces are now in the collection of DIVA in Antwerp. The pendant consists of a large, irregularly shaped silver surface that has been folded, pressed, and modelled into a distinctly three-dimensional composition. Smooth, reflective sections alternate with rough textures, sharp folds, and organic recesses. An openwork section at the top holds a white cultured pearl measuring approximately 7 millimetres. The soft, rounded form of the pearl creates a beautiful contrast with the powerful silverwork. The back of the pendant features two concealed bail loops. This keeps the pendant beautifully centred and prevents it from tilting to one side when worn. The accompanying chain was not originally by Mies De Wilde but was carefully selected to complement the pendant. It is a sturdy sterling silver chain by Friedrich Binder Mönsheim, composed of rounded Venetian links. Its width and weight suit the size of the pendant well; a delicate chain would have looked somewhat out of place here. The pendant is signed MDW on the back and also bears the A925 hallmark and Mies De Wilde's ton-shaped Belgian maker's mark. The piece is in good vintage condition. Superficial scratches and irregularities are visible on the reflective sections of the pendant. Some of these appear to be part of the hand-modelled finish, alongside normal signs of wear. The pendant shows no significant wear, and the pearl has been beautifully preserved. Details: Pendant designer: Mies De Wilde Pendant origin: Belgium Material: sterling silver and white cultured pearl Purity: 925 silver Pendant dimensions: approximately 4.9 × 4.2 cm Pendant depth: approximately 8–9 mm Pearl diameter: approximately 7 mm Chain: rounded Venetian links by Friedrich Binder Mönsheim Chain length: approximately 44.5 cm Chain width: approximately 2.7 mm Total weight: approximately 33.7 grams Pendant hallmarks: MDW, A925 and ton-shaped maker's mark Condition: good vintage condition with superficial scratches and normal signs of wear Note: the chain was selected to accompany the pendant at a later date and is not an original part of the design