Adornment: The Art of Barbara Natoli Witt

Barbara Natoli Witt was a pioneer in the wearable art movement that began in San Francisco and has been creating her necklaces for over 40 years; this publication is the first to document her career Using a combination of tapestry, and lace-making techniques,

Barbara Natoli Witt’s necklaces

are stunning intricate webs of ancient beads, coloured threads, artefacts and gem stones from Asia, Africa, the Americas and Europe. Whether a scarab from Egypt, gemstone from the Middle East or a treasured heirloom, Natoli Witt designs her pieces taking into account the history, iconography and spirit of the objects and weaves a work of art, no two necklaces are the same.

Those who collected her work include prominent figures like former ‘Vogue’ Editor-in-Chief Diana Vreeland, actress Dinah Shore and fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert.

Educated at the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in New York,

and the University of California at Berkley Natoli Witt began designing her jewellery in San Francisco in the early years of the wearable art movement.

Author Lois Dubin writes, “Barbara not only invented an art form, but through brilliant and carefully researched interpretations, she forges strong connections with distant realms, past artisans and those who wear her work.” ILLUSTRATIONS: 206 colour illustrations

Using a combination of tapestry, and lace-making techniques, Barbara Natoli Witt’s necklaces are stunning intricate webs of ancient beads, coloured threads, artefacts and gem stones from Asia, Africa, the Americas and Europe.

Whether a scarab from Egypt, gemstone from the Middle East or a treasured heirloom,

Natoli Witt designs her pieces taking into account the history, iconography and spirit of the objects and weaves a work of art, no two necklaces are the same. Those who collected her work include prominent figures like former ‘Vogue’ Editor-in-Chief Diana Vreeland, actress Dinah Shore and fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert.

Educated at the Cooper Union for the Advancement of Science and Art in New York, and the University of California at Berkley Natoli Witt began designing her jewellery in San Francisco in the early years of the wearable art movement. Author Lois Dubin writes, “Barbara not only invented an art form, but through brilliant and carefully researched interpretations, she forges strong connections with distant realms, past artisans and those who wear her work.”

About the Author

Lois Sherr Dubin, author of several best-selling books on beads and adornment, also curates major museum exhibitions. She lives in New York and lectures worldwide.

Adornment: The Art of Barbara Natoli Witt