Brooch

Harold O'Connor, Brooch, 1993, fabricated and reticulated sterling silver and 18k gold with 18k gold granulation, and spectrolite, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James Renwick Alliance, 1994.19.6
Copied Harold O'Connor, Brooch, 1993, fabricated and reticulated sterling silver and 18k gold with 18k gold granulation, and spectrolite, 3 x 2 7⁄8 x 1⁄4 in. (7.7 x 7.4 x .6 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James Renwick Alliance, 1994.19.6

Artwork Details

Title
Brooch
Artist
Date
1993
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
3 x 2 7⁄8 x 1⁄4 in. (7.7 x 7.4 x .6 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of the James Renwick Alliance
Mediums
Mediums Description
fabricated and reticulated sterling silver and 18k gold with 18k gold granulation, and spectrolite
Classifications
Subjects
  • Landscape — mountain
  • Landscape — celestial — sun
Object Number
1994.19.6
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1994.19.6

Artwork Description

Harold O’Connor first encountered the brilliant, iridescent Spectrolite (also referred to as labradorite) while he was a student in Finland. His challenge was twofold: to find an appropriate cut to preserve the mineral’s unique color and create a setting to hold the oddly shaped stone. In Brooch, the juxtaposition of the reticulated silver and gold, and the contrast of the gold granules against the Spectrolite enhance the stone’s natural colors and texture.