Cowboy Boots

William Wilhelmi, Cowboy Boots, 1980, slip-cast, airbrushed-underglaze and glazed porcelain with gold lusters, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1981.107A-B
William Wilhelmi, Cowboy Boots, 1980, slip-cast, airbrushed-underglaze and glazed porcelain with gold lusters, left boot: 14 1410 144 in. (36.226.010.2 cm) right boot: 14 1410 144 18 in. (36.226.010.5 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1981.107A-B

Artwork Details

Title
Cowboy Boots
Date
1980
Dimensions
left boot: 14 1410 144 in. (36.226.010.2 cm) right boot: 14 1410 144 18 in. (36.226.010.5 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of the artist
Mediums Description
slip-cast, airbrushed-underglaze and glazed porcelain with gold lusters
Classifications
Subjects
  • Landscape — plant — cactus
  • Landscape — celestial — star
  • Landscape — weather — cloud
  • Landscape — desert
Object Number
1981.107A-B

Artwork Description

Bill Wilhelmi designed this pair of porcelain cowboy boots specifically for the Renwick Gallery show, American Porcelain: New Expressions in an Ancient Art. The artist was inspired to begin casting ceramic cowboy boots after seeing a collection of authentic footwear. This pair of boots is unique because it was the first that Wilhelmi modeled in porcelain. They were cast from an actual pair and as a result exhibit signs of aging in the creased porcelain at the ankles. The wing tips on the toes of the shoes, as well as the heels, are glazed with a gold luster, and the boots are airbrushed with an evening desert landscape.

Works by this artist (6 items)

William Wilhelmi, Teapot with Lid, 1974, wax resist stoneware, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1975.133.1A-B
Teapot with Lid
Date1974
wax resist stoneware
On view
William Wilhelmi, Teacup, 1975, wax resist stoneware, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1975.133.2
Teacup
Date1975
wax resist stoneware
On view
William Wilhelmi, Teacup, 1975, wax resist stoneware, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1975.133.5
Teacup
Date1975
wax resist stoneware
On view
William Wilhelmi, Teacup, 1975, wax resist stoneware, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1975.133.4
Teacup
Date1975
wax resist stoneware
On view

Audio

Stop 169: Cowboy Boots

Cowboy Boots
1980, slip-cast, airbrushed-underglaze and glazed porcelain with gold lusters

WILLIAM WILHELMI
Born: Garwin, Iowa 1939

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