This highly unusual heavy silver choker is made using drops of silver and gilded silver which Michael called ‘caviar’ and is set with moonstones and garnets.  All Michael's designs were very much guided by the way molten silver found its own shapes.  This necklace is a remarkable example of his work and a one off probably commissioned by one of his clients. It appears to be unmarked but his signature style is absolutely clear and it is a stunning piece.  Do ask for more photographs of the necklace being worn - these were taken on a dark winter night under electric light and I think we could do better!
 
Michael Bolton was the most remarkable self-taught silversmith and jeweller who we knew well until his sadly early death in 2005.  He was a larger than life character with a Father Christmas beard who made extraordinary pieces of jewellery and objet d’art and was ready to take on unique and often improbable commissions, some of which, mainly rings set with the most enormous gemstones from India, are in our possession.  He was a perfectly lovely man whose wife Margaret also made beautiful silver jewellery of a slightly less extravagant design.  Michael was also a natural teacher who taught a number of young jewellers their trade.  Rings like this great chunk of silver were his earliest trademark pieces and are highly desirable and enjoyably wearable, not to mention pretty cool.  Michael made jewellery for several of the rockest rock stars who were on the impressive list of his patrons.