Four Brooches

David Ferranti, Four Brooches, 1996, sterling silver, glass, graphite, (each): 2 x 2 x 7⁄8 in. (5.1 x 5.1 x 2.2 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Ferranti family in memory of David Ferranti, 1999.24A-D

Artwork Details

Title
Four Brooches
Artist
Date
1996
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
(each): 2 x 2 x 7⁄8 in. (5.1 x 5.1 x 2.2 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of the Ferranti family in memory of David Ferranti
Mediums Description
sterling silver, glass, graphite
Classifications
Object Number
1999.24A-D
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1999.24A-D

Artwork Description

David Ferranti used unlikely materials such as graphite, straight pins, and safety glass in place of precious gemstones. He enclosed these industrial "specimens" in glass cases, making brooches that resemble 35mm slides. The cases prevent the viewer from actually touching the materials and so emphasize the visual properties over the "feel" of the pieces. These brooches also remind us of the "curiosity cabinets" that scientists and collectors created centuries ago.

Works by this artist (10 items)

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Albert E. Flanagan, Pelham Bay, Spring, 1922, watercolor, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from S.I., Cooper-Hewitt Museum of Decorative Arts and Design, 1970.277
Pelham Bay, Spring
Artist
Date1922
watercolor
Not on view
Albert E. Flanagan, The Magic City, 1935, etching on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from S.I., Cooper-Hewitt Museum of Decorative Arts and Design, 1970.273
The Magic City
Artist
Date1935
etching on paper
Not on view
Albert E. Flanagan, Flower Study, 1960, watercolor, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from S.I., Cooper-Hewitt Museum of Decorative Arts and Design, 1970.271
Flower Study
Artist
Date1960
watercolor
Not on view
Albert E. Flanagan, Wild Flowers from the Engadine, 1928, watercolor, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from S.I., Cooper-Hewitt Museum of Decorative Arts and Design, 1970.279
Wild Flowers from the Engadine
Artist
Date1928
watercolor
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

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Unidentified, Untitled (Child's quilt), ca. 1930, cotton and wool, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Patricia S. Smith, 2016.57.1
Untitled (Child’s quilt)
Artist
Unidentified
Dateca. 1930
cotton and wool
Not on view
Unidentified, Untitled (Amish Doll), ca. 1940, cotton, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Patricia S. Smith, 2016.57.11
Untitled (Amish Doll)
Artist
Unidentified
Dateca. 1940
cotton
Not on view
Richard Timothy Evans, Miss Havisham (Scrap Doll), ca. 1975, muslin and lace, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Museum purchase, 1975.138
Miss Havisham (Scrap Doll)
Artist
Dateca. 1975
muslin and lace
Not on view
Natasha Kempers-Cullen, Joie de Vivre, 1995, painted, printed, beaded, pieced, appliquéd, and machine-quilted commercial fabrics with glass and metallic beads, charms, antique buttons, and semi-precious stones, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Cynthia Boyer and Eleanor T. and Samuel J. Rosenfeld, 2000.34
Joie de Vivre
Artist
Date1995
painted, printed, beaded, pieced, appliquéd, and machine-quilted commercial fabrics with glass and metallic beads, charms, antique buttons, and semi-precious stones
Not on view