Lot 103 An Alex and Lee 'Peace and Love' copper, leather and feather necklace, 1970s

hand signed to back, inscribed 'Private Collection', numbered E9083, formed of copper ribbon and wire, the neck bound in green and yellow cord, with leather breast panels edged in black and iridescent cockerel feathers, central pendant with large cabochon and carved bone ornament, width excl feathers 35.5cm 14in

Please note there are export restrictions on this lot.

Alex Mate met Lee Brooks in New York's Central Park in 1970; the two became partners in life as well as in art. Their first creations originated that summer by beach-combing on Fire Island. They collected shells, flotsam, stones and feathers and created macrame necklaces with beads and wire. While walking the beach in their unique finery, they were discovered by Gwen Mazer, the Accessories Editor at Harper's Bazaar, who commissioned them to make 20 pieces for her new boutique on the Upper East Side, which sold out in days. This collaboration originated the artists' life-long exploration into found objects assemblage, or 'Objet Trouvé'. They made pieces for Kaisek Wong in Half Moon Bay and also went on to collaborate with Surrealist artist Salvador Dali, who likewise wore their pieces.

generally good cut some damaged/missing outer black cockerel feathers see pics