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Artist 1980s NevelsonStyle Sculptural GiltMetal Crushed Jagged Pendant Necklace

About the Item

Louise Nevelson, an American modern sculptor who enhanced found objects throughout the 20th Century, in the 1980s transformed found, crushed and gilt metal into decorative necklaces in the style of this one. Twelve graduating irregular flattened shapes are linked by soldered gilt-wire to a dramatic asymmetric jagged pointed pendant of larger size and weight. The aesthetic contrasts of this essentially monochromatic metallic necklace are mesmerizing. Compare the unique disfigured edges and textures of the smashed pieces to the repetitive elegant oval thin links, which also round out the back of the clasp-less necklace. Although recognized as one of the greatest constructive sculptors who ushered in installation art, the late 89-year-old Nevelson notably left a large cache of unexhibited jewelry dating between 1980-1985. As this necklace reflecting late twentieth-century sculpture like hers is unsigned, we encourage the collector to explore authentication from Nevelson's foundation. Late in Nevelson's career, the artist crushed and gilt metal cans for a series of necklaces in 1984, which she created for the St.Louis opera performances of Cristoph Willibald Gluck's "Orfeo and Euridice", as well as for gifts to the cast for their post-show enjoyment. Also during this final decade, Nevelson (1899-1988) sometimes omitted her signature black matte paint, which had enabled sculptural exploration of shadows and depth in wood-based reliefs since mid-century, in favor of lighter color media and reflective pieces like mirrors. Further relevant to the shiny metal pieces with some verdigris and tarnish that compose this necklace, Nevelson had expanded her repertoire of metals to include brass and silver. For the majority of this year in her childhood-town Rockland, Maine, the Farnsworth Art Museum, which acquired the most diverse second-largest collection of Nevelson's work and gave her a retrospective in 1985, hosts another solo exhibition, "Louise Nevelson: Dawn To Dusk". Among more than 40 works of art in a range of media, the show will display some of her last masterpieces that most likely include jewelry. Suggesting her transformation of childhood experience and the inspirational source of her foraging and assembly rituals for art making, Nevelson's Russian lumber-businessman father became a junk dealer upon relocating his young family to the United States before earning his fortune in construction. This necklace was acquired from the East Coast owner without significant provenance in rural Williamstown, Massachusetts, where there happen to be Nevelson works in the collections of Williams College Museum of Art and The Clark.
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