Necklace

Earl Pardon, Necklace, ca. 1976, 14K gold, ivory, coral, jasper and painted wood, 13 781 3438 in. (35.14.60.9 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Eugene Kaplan in memory of Pearl Rappaport Kaplan, a Renwick Gallery docent from 1981 to 1991 and museum purchase through the Renwick Acquisitions Fund, 1992.6

Artwork Details

Title
Necklace
Artist
Date
ca. 1976
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
13 781 3438 in. (35.14.60.9 cm)
Credit Line
Gift of Eugene Kaplan in memory of Pearl Rappaport Kaplan, a Renwick Gallery docent from 1981 to 1991 and museum purchase through the Renwick Acquisitions Fund
Mediums Description
14K gold, ivory, coral, jasper and painted wood
Classifications
Object Number
1992.6

Artwork Description

Earl Pardon’s Necklace integrates fine art and jewelry. In the 1970s he turned away from enamel in his jewelry making and began to assemble gold, ivory, coral, jasper, and painted wood into abstract collages. He saw jewelry as portable art and felt that it was as important as painting or sculpture despite its smaller scale. Inspired by African tribal dance figures and composed of several parts, each designed to move independently, Necklace responds to the slightest movement of the wearer.

Works by this artist (3 items)

Chet La More, Ku Kluxers, 1939, color lithograph, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from D.C. Public Library

, 1967.72.149
Ku Kluxers
Date1939
color lithograph
Not on view
Chet La More, Old Dock, n.d., color lithograph, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from D.C. Public Library, 1967.72.148
Old Dock
Daten.d.
color lithograph
Not on view
Chet La More, Construction, ca. 1935-1939, color woodcut on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Audrey McMahon, 1968.98.32
Construction
Dateca. 1935-1939
color woodcut on paper
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

Henry Moore, Britain, from the United Nations Series, 1944, ink, watercolor, pencil, crayon, and gouache on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Container Corporation of America, 1984.124.219
Britain, from the United Nations Series
Date1944
ink, watercolor, pencil, crayon, and gouache on paper
Not on view
Henry Speller, Train, ca. 1980, crayon and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson, 1986.65.198
Train
Dateca. 1980
crayon and pencil on paper
Not on view
Inez Nathaniel-Walker, Woman with Bowl of Flowers, 1974, felt-tipped pen and ink, ballpoint pen and ink, crayon, and pencil on paper, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson, 1986.65.190
Woman with Bowl of Flowers
Date1974
felt-tipped pen and ink, ballpoint pen and ink, crayon, and pencil on paper
Not on view
Messenger Boy
Artist
Dateca. 1933-1943
charcoal, crayon and pencil on paper
Not on view