George Washington (belt buckle)

Ken Cory, George Washington (belt buckle), 1980, copper, brass, silver, enamel, garnets, mother-of-pearl, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Beverly Cory, 1999.66.2
Ken Cory, George Washington (belt buckle), 1980, copper, brass, silver, enamel, garnets, mother-of-pearl, 2 583 581 in. (6.89.22.5 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Beverly Cory, 1999.66.2

Artwork Details

Title
George Washington (belt buckle)
Artist
Date
1980
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
2 583 581 in. (6.89.22.5 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Beverly Cory
Mediums Description
copper, brass, silver, enamel, garnets, mother-of-pearl
Classifications
Subjects
  • Occupation — political — president
  • Portrait male — Washington, George — head
Object Number
1999.66.2

Artwork Description

Ken Cory made only a few pieces of jewelry during a transitional period from 1979 to 1986. Rather than being the focus of the piece, the garnet and mother-of-pearl are accents for the enamel and metalwork. This was his way of questioning the value of materials in conventional jewelry making. The artist once said that he believed traditions “should neither be worshipped nor rejected.” Cory’s lighthearted design contrasts with that of James E. Meyer, who also made a belt buckle with this title. Meyer’s piece shows his strong commitment to jewelry traditions, in both material and subject matter. Although the two artists approach their work differently, the pieces are equally impressive and reveal different facets of the same cultural heritage.

Works by this artist (791 items)

Mary Vaux Walcott, Arnica alpina, 1905, watercolor on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1970.355.103
Arnica alpina
Date1905
watercolor on paper
Not on view
Mary Vaux Walcott, Goldenpea (Thermopsis rhombifolia), 1923, watercolor on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1970.355.634
Goldenpea (Thermopsis rhombifolia)
Date1923
watercolor on paper
Not on view
Mary Vaux Walcott, Mountain Juniper (Juniperus sibirica), 1917, watercolor on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1970.355.424
Mountain Juniper (Juniperus sibirica)
Date1917
watercolor on paper
Not on view
Mary Vaux Walcott, Untitled--Plant Study, 1929, watercolor on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1970.355.222
Untitled – Plant Study
Date1929
watercolor on paper
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

Mary Vaux Walcott, Arnica alpina, 1905, watercolor on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1970.355.103
Arnica alpina
Date1905
watercolor on paper
Not on view
Mary Vaux Walcott, Goldenpea (Thermopsis rhombifolia), 1923, watercolor on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1970.355.634
Goldenpea (Thermopsis rhombifolia)
Date1923
watercolor on paper
Not on view
Dwinell Grant, Untitled, 1936, watercolor on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Patricia and Phillip Frost, 1986.92.31
Untitled
Date1936
watercolor on paper
Not on view
Alex Redein, Low Tide at the Flats, n.d., opaque watercolor and collage on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist, 1972.137
Low Tide at the Flats
Daten.d.
opaque watercolor and collage on paper
Not on view