Necklace

James Johnstone was born in Edinburgh, and graduated from the Edinburg College of Art with a Diploma in Design. In 1925 he was invited by Richard Wallwork, the life master at the Canterbury College School of Art in Christchurch, to take up the position of Crafts and Design Master at the Canterbury College School of Art. While the school had a strong focus on painting, it design and art craft were regarded as vital training. The school's administrators were committed to employing 'artists and craftsmen of recognised ability' to ensure the best education for their students - this included the importation of number of practitioners-cum-teachers from Great Britain.Johnstone began teaching at the school in 1926, where he specialised in metalwork, manuscript writing and gilding. One of his former pupils, Florence Atkins remembers him as a teacher who 'brought lively new ideas' into the school. He taught at the school until 1958.

This necklace, with its hand fabricated oblong and circular links, and choice of white opals, is typical of Johnstone's jewellery designs.

As well as jewellery, Johnstone undertook a variety of design commissions including postage stamps for the 1950 centennial issue, and the chairs used by the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh at the 1953 opening of Parliament.

For more information on the Arts and Crafts Movement in New Zealandsee Ann Calhoun's book The Arts Crafts Movement in New Zealand 1870 - 1940, AUP, 2000.