Backpack Box

Stuart Golder, Backpack Box, 1979, sterling silver, 18k gold, and copper, 787834 in. (2.22.11.9 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Paul and Carole Garrison, 2000.41.3, © 1970-78, Stuart Golder

Artwork Details

Title
Backpack Box
Date
1979
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
787834 in. (2.22.11.9 cm)
Copyright
© 1970-78, Stuart Golder
Credit Line
Gift of Paul and Carole Garrison
Mediums Description
sterling silver, 18k gold, and copper
Classifications
Object Number
2000.41.3

Artwork Description

These fifteen miniature containers (see 2000.41.1 to 2000.41.15) are part of a series of twenty-eight boxes that Stuart Golder created from 1970 to 1978, each one unique and no more than an inch in size. His technique involved bending the sheet metal, while other parts were formed, sawed, filed, shaped to fit, and soldered. He completed the surface finish by filing, sanding, and mirror polishing with an electric buffer, and he crafted the hinges and catches by hand. Many people asked him why he spent eight years on this project. He replied, "the preciousness of the form and the ability to hold a small universe in ones hands always intrigued me."

Works by this artist (791 items)

Mary Vaux Walcott, White Flowering Raspberry (Rubus parviflorus), 1905, watercolor on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1970.355.678
White Flowering Raspberry (Rubus parviflorus)
Date1905
watercolor on paper
Not on view
Mary Vaux Walcott, Shortspur Columbine (Aquilegia brevistyla), 1907, watercolor on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1970.355.629
Shortspur Columbine (Aquilegia brevistyla)
Date1907
watercolor on paper
Not on view
Mary Vaux Walcott, False Indigo (Baptista bructeata), 1932, watercolor on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1970.355.60
False Indigo (Baptista bructeata)
Date1932
watercolor on paper
Not on view
Mary Vaux Walcott, Red Lily (Lilium montanum), 1923, watercolor on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1970.355.350
Red Lily (Lilium montanum)
Date1923
watercolor on paper
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

Mary Vaux Walcott, White Flowering Raspberry (Rubus parviflorus), 1905, watercolor on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1970.355.678
White Flowering Raspberry (Rubus parviflorus)
Date1905
watercolor on paper
Not on view
Mary Vaux Walcott, Shortspur Columbine (Aquilegia brevistyla), 1907, watercolor on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1970.355.629
Shortspur Columbine (Aquilegia brevistyla)
Date1907
watercolor on paper
Not on view
Andrew Wyeth, Chimney Beams, 1950, watercolor on wove paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Henry Ward Ranger through the National Academy of Design, 2023.54
Chimney Beams
Date1950
watercolor on wove paper
Not on view
William H. Johnson, Mountain Lakes, Norway, ca. 1935-1938, watercolor on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.454
Mountain Lakes, Norway
Dateca. 1935-1938
watercolor on paper
Not on view