Marigold Bead’s hand-loomed beaded necklaces are the result of an extraordinary collaboration between Joburg-based Zimbabwe-born artist and sculptor Joni Brenner and women’s cooperative Marigold, based in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. In 2011 Brenner commissioned the women of Marigold to create a set of three beaded necklaces, a commission which became the start of a successful partnership that has seen hundreds of these intricately beaded strands find their way to South Africa, and across oceans.

Each necklace is a marvel of colour, geometry and masterful even tension, the symmetry of uniformly shaped seed beads (sourced from Czech Republic and Japan) as satisfying to the touch of the wearer as it is to the eye of all those who end up admiring the pieces. New colour combinations and patterning are continually introduced so the pieces are collectible, and inexplicably one necklace demands a companion, and then another.

To produce one necklace takes from one to three days of careful and considered labour. In a world of throwaway items Marigold's necklaces are like rare birds, each carrying the imprint of its maker.

On Wed Jan 24 at 18:00 leading South African auction house Strauss & Co, together with Jodi Brenner, presents the launch of the book Making Marigold: Beaders of Bulawayo which tells the tale of the evolution of the Marigold Beads brand and the stories behind the designs used. As Brenner says "the beadwork will survive, and it will always be there to be analysed and written about; but the kind of stories that don’t survive are the stories of who made the necklaces, and why".

A selection of Marigold necklaces will be on sale at the event. Booking is essential. To RSVP contact Susie Goodman at susie@straussart.co.za.