For many cultural historians, the Memphis Design movement is the defining style of the 1980s. An ad hoc collision of Constructivism, Cubism, Op Art and Pop Art, Memphis Design was born at a gathering of young architects and designers in Milan in 1981. It was a hip rebellion, largely against the unornamented and rigorous International style. Like all rebellions, it smashed conventions like atoms with its design aesthetic of scattered shapes, black-and-white graphic patterns such as polka dots and squiggly lines and bright colors. This design-world rebellion challenged elite sensibilities in architecture, interior design, fashion, and jewelry. Our artist-made blue agate, rock crystal and base metal necklace is a good example. In inspiration, it is a pectoral, a form of ornament worn on the chest that goes back at least to ancient Egypt. In sensibility, though of a more refined palette, it has all the explosive characteristics of the Memphis movement that left an indelible imprint on an entire decade of design. Condition: Excellent. Dimensions: Pendant, 3” x 5”, Full drop 8.5”.