M‑O-P Button Necklace

Sondra Sherman, M-O-P Button Necklace, 1987, constructed mother-of-pearl, glass buttons, and iron wire, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Libby Cooper in memory of Lillian Bardfield, 2002.60
Sondra Sherman, M-O-P Button Necklace, 1987, constructed mother-of-pearl, glass buttons, and iron wire, 11 1⁄2 x 4 1⁄4 x 1 in. (29.2 x 10.8 x 2.5 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Libby Cooper in memory of Lillian Bardfield, 2002.60

Artwork Details

Title
M‑O-P Button Necklace
Artist
Date
1987
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
11 1⁄2 x 4 1⁄4 x 1 in. (29.2 x 10.8 x 2.5 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Libby Cooper in memory of Lillian Bardfield
Mediums
Mediums Description
constructed mother-of-pearl, glass buttons, and iron wire
Classifications
Object Number
2002.60
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/2002.60

Artwork Description

Sondra Sherman plays with traditional ideas of womanhood in M-O-P Button Necklace. The title refers to mother-of-pearl, the iridescent shell used in this piece. However, the necklace, its materials, and its title evoke different aspects of gender identity. Since jewelry is meant to ornament the body, the necklace triggers thoughts of ideal beauty, a concept reinforced by the fact that mother-of-pearl comes from the sea, the birthplace of Venus. The word "mother" in the name of the shell also refers to one role that women hold in family life, while the buttons and the initials for mother-of-pearl, which spells "mop," remind us of common domestic duties performed by housewives.

Works by this artist (32 items)

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Eliot Clark, Toward the Heights--Himalayas, ca. 1937-1938, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Eliot Clark, 1980.123.8
Toward the Heights – Himalayas
Artist
Dateca. 1937-1938
oil on canvas
Not on view
Eliot Clark, Shiva's Realm, ca. 1937-1938, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Eliot Clark, 1980.123.19
Shiva’s Realm
Artist
Dateca. 1937-1938
oil on canvas
Not on view
Eliot Clark, Nanda Devi at Dawn--Mayavati Himalayas, ca. 1937-1938, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Eliot Clark, 1980.123.24
Nanda Devi at Dawn – Mayavati Himalayas
Artist
Dateca. 1937-1938
oil on canvas
Not on view
Eliot Clark, Last Light, Nanda Devi--Himalayas XI, ca. 1937-1938, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mrs. Eliot Clark, 1980.123.20
Last Light, Nanda Devi – Himalayas XI
Artist
Dateca. 1937-1938
oil on canvas
Not on view

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William H. Johnson, Male Model on Stool, ca. 1939-1940, tempera, brush and ink and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.238
Male Model on Stool
Artist
Dateca. 1939-1940
tempera, brush and ink and pencil on paper
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William H. Johnson, Induction Center, ca. 1942, tempera and pen and ink with pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.169
Induction Center
Artist
Dateca. 1942
tempera and pen and ink with pencil on paper
Not on view
William H. Johnson, Family Reunion, ca. 1940-1941, tempera, pen and ink, and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.1061R-V
Family Reunion
Artist
Dateca. 1940-1941
tempera, pen and ink, and pencil on paper
Not on view
William H. Johnson, Children at Ice Cream Stand, ca. 1939-1942, tempera and pen and ink with pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Harmon Foundation, 1967.59.1097R
Children at Ice Cream Stand
Artist
Dateca. 1939-1942
tempera and pen and ink with pencil on paper
Not on view