Brooch

Ronald Hayes Pearson, Brooch, ca. 1948, silver with beach stone, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Joan Watkins, 1993.78.1
Copied Ronald Hayes Pearson, Brooch, ca. 1948, silver with beach stone, 1 1⁄2 x 2 1⁄8 x 3⁄4 in. (3.9 x 5.5 x 2.0 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Joan Watkins, 1993.78.1

Artwork Details

Title
Brooch
Artist
Date
ca. 1948
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
1 1⁄2 x 2 1⁄8 x 3⁄4 in. (3.9 x 5.5 x 2.0 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Joan Watkins
Mediums
Mediums Description
silver with beach stone
Classifications
Object Number
1993.78.1
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1993.78.1

Artwork Description

Ronald Pearson created these earrings from silver and beach stones, reflecting his love of marine life and sailing. The unusual settings for the beach stones resemble the fins of a shark, while the stone itself appears to form a body. The protrusions emerging from the brooch resemble the legs of a crustacean. The son of a dedicated seaman, Pearson served as an officer in the U.S. Merchant Marines during the Second World War and maintained sailing as a favorite pastime throughout his life.