Aarikka Finland | Rare wooden pendant with cranberry red beads

About the Piece

Rare vintage wooden pendant necklace by Aarikka Finland from the 1970s to 1980s. The composition is built from dozens of freely moving wooden beads attached to a round hand painted wooden base.

The clustered red beads bring to mind Nordic wild berries, especially cranberries gathered in late autumn forests. Aarikka often worked with simple natural materials, but pieces like this show a more playful and expressive side of Finnish design from the period.

The necklace has strong visual presence despite the lightweight construction. The vivid red colour stands out sharply against dark clothing and works equally well as a wearable object or part of a more collected Scandinavian jewellery look.

The pendant hangs on an adjustable cord with sliding wooden beads, allowing the length to be changed easily depending on styling and clothing.

Handmade in Finland.

Details

Brand: Aarikka Finland
Period: 1970s to 1980s
Material: Wood
Colour: Red
Technique: Hand-painted and hand assembled
Diameter with hanging beads: 5 cm

Condition

Very good vintage condition with light traces of age and use consistent with the period.

Design Notes

The freely moving wooden beads create shifting shadows and changing shapes while worn. From a distance the pendant appears almost floral or berry like, while closer viewing reveals the careful handmade construction and variation in the wooden surfaces.

The piece carries many qualities associated with classic Aarikka jewellery: natural materials, strong silhouette, tactile surfaces and movement integrated directly into the design.