Bangles

Merry Renk, Bangles, ca. 1967, sawn, fused, and soldered 14k gold with biwa pearls, 1 1⁄4 x 5⁄8 x 5⁄8 in. (3.2 x 1.7 x 1.7 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Joan Watkins, 1993.78.5

Artwork Details

Title
Bangles
Artist
Date
ca. 1967
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
1 1⁄4 x 5⁄8 x 5⁄8 in. (3.2 x 1.7 x 1.7 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Joan Watkins
Mediums
Mediums Description
sawn, fused, and soldered 14k gold with biwa pearls
Classifications
Subjects
  • Dress — accessory — jewelry
Object Number
1993.78.5
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1993.78.5

Artwork Description

Bangles reflects Merry Renk’s taste for pearls and 14-karat yellow gold, and her preference, in the 1960s, for heavily encrusted surfaces. The “bangles” of hanging gold and Biwa pearls that only the wearer can see express the artist’s idea that the wearer completes the jewelry through her experience of it. The bangles and pearls become a secret pleasure for her alone.

Works by this artist (2 items)

Merry Renk, Pool, ca. 1967, cast and oxidized sterling silver with biwa pearls, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Joan Watkins, 1993.78.4
Pool
Artist
Dateca. 1967
cast and oxidized sterling silver with biwa pearls
Not on view
Merry Renk, Bangles, ca. 1967, sawn, fused, and soldered 14k gold with biwa pearls, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Joan Watkins, 1993.78.5
Bangles
Artist
Dateca. 1967
sawn, fused, and soldered 14k gold with biwa pearls
Not on view