Necklace

Alexander Calder, Necklace, n.d., brass, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Calder, 1968.7.2
Alexander Calder, Necklace, n.d., brass, 2 1⁄2 x 11 1⁄8 x 12 7⁄8 in. (6.4 x 28.3 x 32.7 cm.) oval, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Calder, 1968.7.2

Artwork Details

Title
Necklace
Artist
Date
n.d.
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
2 1⁄2 x 11 1⁄8 x 12 7⁄8 in. (6.4 x 28.3 x 32.7 cm.) oval
Credit Line
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Calder
Mediums
Mediums Description
brass
Classifications
Subjects
  • Dress — accessory — jewelry
Object Number
1968.7.2
Linked Open Data
https://edan.si.edu/saam/id/object/1968.7.2

Artwork Description

As a child, Alexander Calder made his first piece of jewelry for his sister's dolls. He continued to experiment with jewelry throughout his career, even after gaining international recognition for his whimsical mobiles and stabiles. Calder made most of his jewelry for his family and close friends and often gave his pieces as gifts. His wife, Louisa, was the main recipient of his creations. Necklace resembles a piece he made for her in 1940. All of Calder's jewelry was constructed from multiple pieces of hammered brass or iron, and he used the spiral design repeatedly. Calder refused to sell his jewelry commercially, for he wanted each wearer to know that his or her piece was made by the artist's hands alone.

Works by this artist (29 items)

View all artworks
Alexander Calder, Gwenfritz, ca. 1968, iron, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, 1969.116
Gwenfritz
Artist
Dateca. 1968
iron
On view
Alexander Calder, Maquette for Flamingo, 1972, riveted and painted aluminum, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Transfer from the General Services Administration, 1980.49.3
Maquette for Flamingo
Artist
Date1972
riveted and painted aluminum
On view
Alexander Calder, The Antlers, 1944, plaster, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Alexander Calder, 1971.359
The Antlers
Artist
Date1944
plaster
On view
Alexander Calder, The Acrobats, 1944, plaster, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Alexander Calder, 1971.358A-B
The Acrobats
Artist
Date1944
plaster
On view

More Artworks from the Collection

Browse All Artworks
Alexander Calder, Hair Comb, n.d., gilded brass, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Calder, 1968.7.4
Hair Comb
Artist
Daten.d.
gilded brass
Not on view
Alexander Calder, Bracelet, n.d., brass, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Alexander Calder, 1968.7.3
Bracelet
Artist
Daten.d.
brass
Not on view
Unidentified, Grain-Painted Box with Diamond Appliques, 19th century, painted wood, iron, and brass, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson, 1986.65.78
Grain-Painted Box with Diamond Appliques
Artist
Unidentified
Date19th century
painted wood, iron, and brass
Not on view
Unidentified, Sponge-Painted Box with Domed Lid and Trompe L'Oeil Effects, ca. 1840, painted wood with brass and iron, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Herbert Waide Hemphill, Jr. and museum purchase made possible by Ralph Cross Johnson, 1986.65.85
Sponge-Painted Box with Domed Lid and Trompe L’Oeil Effects
Artist
Unidentified
Dateca. 1840
painted wood with brass and iron
Not on view