Bean RI Silver Necklace Medium

Hanmdmade in Sligo by Martina Hamilton. The National Museum of Ireland commissioned Martina to create this collection of jewellery to mark 1000 years since the Battle of Clontarf, a defining event in Irish history. The collection sets out to symbolise and celebrate the powerful yet mostly untold contribution of women to the history of Ireland, exemplified by mythological tales of the country’s warrior queens.

The Bean Rí shape was initially inspired by bronze-age spear heads found in the museum collection, which Martina reinterpreted with a simple quarter twist and texturing, transforming the ferocity of a weapon into something charged with feminine beauty, strength, and elegance.

The twist and texture of this pendant catches the light as if it were a candle flame.

5 cm H. Sterling silver snake chain 45.7 cm