Backpack Box

Stuart Golder, Backpack Box, 1979, sterling silver, 18k gold, and copper, 787834 in. (2.22.11.9 cm), Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of Paul and Carole Garrison, 2000.41.3, © 1970-78, Stuart Golder

Artwork Details

Title
Backpack Box
Date
1979
Location
Not on view
Dimensions
787834 in. (2.22.11.9 cm)
Copyright
© 1970-78, Stuart Golder
Credit Line
Gift of Paul and Carole Garrison
Mediums Description
sterling silver, 18k gold, and copper
Classifications
Object Number
2000.41.3

Artwork Description

These fifteen miniature containers (see 2000.41.1 to 2000.41.15) are part of a series of twenty-eight boxes that Stuart Golder created from 1970 to 1978, each one unique and no more than an inch in size. His technique involved bending the sheet metal, while other parts were formed, sawed, filed, shaped to fit, and soldered. He completed the surface finish by filing, sanding, and mirror polishing with an electric buffer, and he crafted the hinges and catches by hand. Many people asked him why he spent eight years on this project. He replied, "the preciousness of the form and the ability to hold a small universe in ones hands always intrigued me."

Works by this artist (338 items)

Gene Davis, Stripes, 1957, oil on canvas, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Bequest of Florence Coulson Davis, 1996.104.30
Stripes
Date1957
oil on canvas
On view
Gene Davis, King Kong, screenprint, Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Woodward Foundation, 1977.48.22
King Kong
screenprint
Not on view
Gene Davis, Graf Zeppelin, n.d., Smithsonian American Art Museum, Gift of the Woodward Foundation, 1976.108.36
Graf Zeppelin
Daten.d.
Not on view