Brooch
1950-1960 (made)
Artist/Maker | |
Place of origin |
By Alexander Calder's own account, his first jewellery was made for his sister's dolls in 1906 when he was eight, out of pieces of discarded copper wire. Later, in 1929, he made a wire choker for a French painter friend. Wire remained an important element in the sculptor's work, especially in the mobiles he invented. By twisting and hammering wire Calder achieved strong and simple forms in his jewellery. The designs have both an archaic and a modern feel.
Calder made more than 1500 pieces of jewellery, generally for friends and family rather than for sale. In 1942, he made an earring for Peggy Guggenheim, which she wore alongside one by the painter Yves Tanguy to the opening of the 'Art of the Century' gallery in New York, showing her support for both abstract and surrealist art.
Calder was a prolific sculptor and artist, who apart from his famous mobiles and sculptures also made paintings, lithographs, toys, tapestry and even designed carpets.
Calder made more than 1500 pieces of jewellery, generally for friends and family rather than for sale. In 1942, he made an earring for Peggy Guggenheim, which she wore alongside one by the painter Yves Tanguy to the opening of the 'Art of the Century' gallery in New York, showing her support for both abstract and surrealist art.
Calder was a prolific sculptor and artist, who apart from his famous mobiles and sculptures also made paintings, lithographs, toys, tapestry and even designed carpets.
Object details
Categories | |
Object type | |
Materials and techniques | Brass |
Brief description | Brass spiral, designed and made by Alexander Calder, USA, 1950-60. |
Physical description | Brass spiral |
Dimensions |
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Marks and inscriptions | AC (Artist's mark, incised on front.) |
Credit line | Given by the American Friends of the V&A through the generosity of Patricia V. Goldstein |
Summary | By Alexander Calder's own account, his first jewellery was made for his sister's dolls in 1906 when he was eight, out of pieces of discarded copper wire. Later, in 1929, he made a wire choker for a French painter friend. Wire remained an important element in the sculptor's work, especially in the mobiles he invented. By twisting and hammering wire Calder achieved strong and simple forms in his jewellery. The designs have both an archaic and a modern feel. Calder made more than 1500 pieces of jewellery, generally for friends and family rather than for sale. In 1942, he made an earring for Peggy Guggenheim, which she wore alongside one by the painter Yves Tanguy to the opening of the 'Art of the Century' gallery in New York, showing her support for both abstract and surrealist art. Calder was a prolific sculptor and artist, who apart from his famous mobiles and sculptures also made paintings, lithographs, toys, tapestry and even designed carpets. |
Bibliographic reference | Alexander C. Rower/ Holten Rower (ed.), Calder Jewelry, Calder Foundation, New York 2007 |
Other numbers |
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Collection | |
Accession number | M.166-2007 |
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Record created | August 18, 2008 |
Record URL |
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