Abstract – Where HerbertandWilks Began
This is the collection where it all started. The foundation of the HerbertandWilks aesthetic.
The Abstract collection celebrates the beauty of sculptural, surface-driven metalwork — abstract jewellery pieces shaped by flowing, textured surfaces that carry the marks of the maker's hand. Each design features softly organic forms with gentle curves, irregular textures, and subtle dimensional variation that catches light beautifully.
These are not botanical forms or geometric abstractions. They are pure expressions of metal as a sculptural medium, where the surface itself tells the story.
The Origin Story
The Abstract collection was born from a simple act of subtraction.
I had been experimenting with small wax roses attached to a circular form. On paper the idea looked promising, but once assembled the design felt crowded and heavy. It simply didn't sit right.
A friend suggested: "The hoop itself is beautiful. What happens if you cut the roses off?"
What remained was a softly irregular circle with a flowing, textured surface — gentle curves and small maker's marks catching the light. That simple circle became the foundation of this collection and eventually appeared across multiple HerbertandWilks designs, even finding its way onto packaging and studio cards.
Sometimes the best designs arrive by removing something rather than adding more.
What Defines Abstract
Pieces in this collection share a common language:
- Flowing, abstract surfaces with textured finishes and undulating forms
- Sculptural metalwork that feels soft and fluid rather than rigid
- Hand-cast using the lost wax process and finished by hand
- Subtle dimensional variation and marks of making
- Timeless, versatile abstract jewellery designs that work from casual to formal
You'll find the organic circle motif throughout — in hoop earrings, bracelets, necklaces, and rings. You'll also discover chain links with beautiful textured surfaces, fluid bands, and interlocking forms that speak to balance and connection.
Building Your Abstract Set
These pieces are designed to work together. The same textured surfaces and flowing forms appear across earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings, allowing you to build a coordinated set over time.
Each piece carries the same sculptural quality and surface-driven aesthetic, making them easy to layer and mix while maintaining a cohesive look.
Handmade in Mt Eden, Auckland, New Zealand
