Ginkgo Brooch

Jim Kelso, Ginkgo Brooch, 2002, 18K gold, moonstones, and bighorn sheep horn, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James Renwick Alliance, 2003.11
Copied Jim Kelso, Ginkgo Brooch, 2002, 18K gold, moonstones, and bighorn sheep horn, 2 5⁄8 × 2 × 1⁄2 in. (6.6 × 5.2 × 1.2 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James Renwick Alliance, 2003.11

Artwork Details

Title
Ginkgo Brooch
Artist
Date
2002
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
2 5⁄8 × 2 × 1⁄2 in. (6.6 × 5.2 × 1.2 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of the James Renwick Alliance
Mediums
Mediums Description
18K gold, moonstones, and bighorn sheep horn
Classifications
Keywords
  • Object — foliage — ginkgo
Object Number
2003.11
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/2003.11

Artwork Description

A ginko tree in the Smithsonian Castle courtyard inspired Jim Kelso’s Ginko Brooch. He carefully carved the horn to make sure that it would remain strong, yet still convey the lightness and delicacy of the ginko leaf. He drew on his knowledge of Japanese design principles and his admiration of René Lalique’s gold and carved horn jewelry to come up with the design. Although Kelso admits that “the result is nearly a botanical study,” his goal was not accuracy, but to convey his impression of “ginkoness.” (Jim Kelso, Certificate of Origin)