Necklace

Object number2013.36.1

Datec. 1960

MediumWood/Brass/Paint

Credit LineGift of Marya Pendro-Thomson

DescriptionLove bead necklace made up of 33 yellow oval wooden beads, with tiny black beads between each yellow bead. Each bead is engraved in black with names, words, and symbols. Brass clasp in back. Attached on a cotton string.Dimensions0.5 x 15 in. (1.3 x 38.1 cm)
InscriptionsEach bead is engraved in black with names, words, and symbols including "TED", "AL", "MARY", "SUE", "JANE", "JOE", "GO","OK", "YES", "HI", and "ABC"; symbols include an eye, Greek letters, equations, treble clef, and mustache with smile.
Historical NotesLove beads owned by Marya A. Pendro-Thomson. Love beads were necklaces worn by hippies as a symbol of peace and love. Most were handmade. Part of a collection related to the Pendro family. The Pendro family immigrated to New York City in the late 1800’s from Austria-Hungary, though the family was primarily of Carpatho-Rusyn and Russian descent. They settled in the Pittsburgh area around 1890 after hearing that there were jobs in the area. The family formed close ties with several institutions in the region most notably the Edgar Thompson Steel Mill and Joseph Horne Company. Shortly after arriving in Pittsburgh, George Pendro began working at the Edgar Thompson Steel Mill. Several other family members worked at the mill including George’s son Andrew, Andrew’s wife Lucy, and Lucy’s father Andrew Wagner. The family also had close ties to the Joseph Horne Company department store. Frank Wagner, Andrew Wagner’s father worked as a boot maker for Horne’s after emigrating from Germany in 1843. Many family members would later work for the company, most notably his great grandson Andrew Pendro, Jr. who worked in the special events and sign departments from 1963-1981. The artifact collection consists of many handmade pieces of clothing from several women in the family and many items connected to Andrew Pendro Jr.’s artistic career at Hornes’, teaching German children after WWII and at the Western Pennsylvania School for the Blind. Many of his pieces are also connected to his Byzantine faith and heritage.

Previous owner Marya A. Pendro-Thomson

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