Brooch thumbnail 1
Image of Gallery in South Kensington
On display at V&A South Kensington
Jewellery, Rooms 91, The William and Judith Bollinger Gallery

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.


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
  • Height: 6.3cm
  • Width: 6.9cm
  • Depth: 0.4cm
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
  • LOAN:AMERICANFRIENDS.227-2003 - Previous loan number
  • 183 - Goldstein Collection number
Collection
Accession number
M.166-2007

About this object record

Explore the Collections contains over a million catalogue records, and over half a million images. It is a working database that includes information compiled over the life of the museum. Some of our records may contain offensive and discriminatory language, or reflect outdated ideas, practice and analysis. We are committed to addressing these issues, and to review and update our records accordingly.

You can write to us to suggest improvements to the record.

Suggest feedback

Record createdAugust 18, 2008
Record URL
Download as: JSON