The pottery beads are Pre-Columbian whorls for spinning cotton by hand. They are possibly 2000 years old - from the Pacific coast of Ecuador. Fingers once twirled them daily to spin cotton thread - beautiful yet functional.

In 1961, whilst on a Cambridge University expedition, I was waiting by lamplight as a weaver finished plaiting a fine `Panama´ hat for me. I noticed a bowl of these spindle-whorls and bought them as well as the hat.

The necklace was conceived to embrace both the organic, antique context of the ancient ceramic weights and a modern practical aesthetic.

Price - £695