Earrings

Miye Matsukata, Earrings, ca. 1973, 18k and 24k gold with diamonds, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Harold Rubenstein in memory of his wife Irma Sims Rubenstein, 1991.106A-B
Miye Matsukata, Earrings, ca. 1973, 18k and 24k gold with diamonds, 27858 in. (5.12.21.6 cm.), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Harold Rubenstein in memory of his wife Irma Sims Rubenstein, 1991.106A-B

Artwork Details

Title
Earrings
Date
ca. 1973
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
27858 in. (5.12.21.6 cm.)
Credit Line
Gift of Harold Rubenstein in memory of his wife Irma Sims Rubenstein
Mediums
Mediums Description
18k and 24k gold with diamonds
Classifications
Object Number
1991.106A-B

Artwork Description

Earrings is one of six jewelry pieces Miyé Matsukata made for a commission. The artist was asked to design pieces around loose diamonds that the client supplied. Because 24k gold is too soft to work in alone, Matsukata laminated the earrings with 18k gold, making then strong enough to hold the stones and durable enough to wear. She wanted the works to be well-balanced, comfortable to wear, and pleasing to the eye.

Works by this artist (4 items)

Miye Matsukata, Belt with Jade Carving, n.d., 24k gold-plated sterling silver, 18k gold, leather, and jade, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Helen Williams Drutt English and H. Peter Stern in honor of the 35th anniversary of the Renwick Gallery, 2007.47.19
Belt with Jade Carving
Daten.d.
24k gold-plated sterling silver, 18k gold, leather, and jade
Not on view
Miye Matsukata, Cuff Bracelet, ca. 1970, 14k and 18k gold with rubies and sapphire, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Alexander and Margit Matoltsy, 2003.43
Cuff Bracelet
Dateca. 1970
14k and 18k gold with rubies and sapphire
Not on view
Miye Matsukata, Earrings, ca. 1973, 18k and 24k gold with diamonds, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Harold Rubenstein in memory of his wife Irma Sims Rubenstein, 1991.106A-B
Earrings
Dateca. 1973
18k and 24k gold with diamonds
Not on view
Brooch
Daten.d.
gold, diamonds, and pearl
Not on view

More Artworks from the Collection

Mickey Johnston, Bang-le Bracelet, 1997, hand-forged steel, gold, diamonds, and pearl, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the artist in honor of Professor Robert Ebendorf, 1999.35
Bang-le Bracelet
Date1997
hand-forged steel, gold, diamonds, and pearl
Not on view
Kent Raible, Floating City, 1996, 18K gold, chalcedony, chrome tourmaline, sapphires, amethysts and diamonds 
, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the James Renwick Alliance, 1996.37
Floating City
Date1996
18K gold, chalcedony, chrome tourmaline, sapphires, amethysts and diamonds
Not on view
Mellerio dits Meller, Jeweled Collar in the Shape of a Peacock Feather, 1900, 18 karat gold, enamel, diamonds, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Laura Dreyfus Barney and Natalie Clifford Barney in memory of their mother, Alice Pike Barney, 1964.25.1
Jeweled Collar in the Shape of a Peacock Feather
Date1900
18 karat gold, enamel, diamonds
Not on view
Daniel Brush, Diamond Egg (#90), 1991-1993, 24-karat gold and steel with diamonds, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Fleur S. Bresler in honor of Robyn Kennedy, 2022.1
Diamond Egg (#90)
Date1991-1993
24-karat gold and steel with diamonds
On view