Items Similar to 1994 Smithsonian ModernArt LavaRock Sparkling SterlingSilver EyeShaped Brooch
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 6
1994 Smithsonian ModernArt LavaRock Sparkling SterlingSilver EyeShaped Brooch
About the Item
Like the pendant collected by the Smithsonian American Art Museum, this bezel-set lava rock was handcrafted as a modern sterling silver brooch by studio-artist Joan Parcher (b. 1956) in 1994. Cut into the shape of an eye, it is deeply inset with found sparkling grey igneous rock with mica inclusions, which was naturally formed by the cooling and solidification of lava. The granular crystalline surface of this lava rock remains raw and shielded by the silver rim of the brooch. The silver concave reverse of the brooch has a hinged and signed pin with c-clasp for fastening.
The eye-catching rock reflects the fascination of the artist with industrial sparkle, which involves her childhood memories of her grandparents' work at a Pittsburgh glass factory.
According to the Smithsonian, the artist forages for material fragments including mica, graphite and rubber, which she keeps until "she decides how best to showcase their natural characteristics" with malleable materials like silver or steel.
Parcher's jewelry is found in other important museum collections including The Metropolitan Museum of Art's Modern and Contemporary Art department.
The sole owner saved the purchase receipt from artist-jewelry specialized Susan Cummins Gallery as provenance.
- Creator:
- Metal:Sterling Silver
- Stone:Other
- Stone Cut:Uncut
- Weight:19 g
- Dimensions:Width: 1 in (25.4 mm)Depth: 0.5 in (12.7 mm)Length: 1.5 in (38.1 mm)
- Style:Artist
- Place of Origin:United States
- Period:1990-1999
- Date of Manufacture:1994
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use.
- Seller Location:Chicago, IL
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU3244218150642
About the Seller
5.0
Vetted Seller
These experienced sellers undergo a comprehensive evaluation by our team of in-house experts.
Established in 2012
1stDibs seller since 2022
9 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: 1 hour
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: North Adams, MA
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 1 day of delivery.
More From This SellerView All
- Antique ArtNouveau Austria Scheid RareMark Pave BlueZircon Silver Snakes BroochBy Georg Adam ScheidLocated in Chicago, ILDuring the Art-Nouveau period while German-born Vienna-based silversmith, niello master, and entrepreneur Georg Adam Scheid (1837-1921) was prospering from a related refinery busines...Category
Early 20th Century Austrian Art Nouveau Brooches
MaterialsAquamarine, Diamond, Sapphire, Zircon, Silver, Sterling Silver
- MiriamHaskell WWII FrankHess PurpleGlassFlowersGoldLeaves WiredPlasticBackBroochBy Frank Hess for Miriam HaskellLocated in Chicago, ILBeginning in 1939, Miriam Haskell asked her first designer Frank Hess to sparingly use metal in the costume-jewelry collections during WWII while war materials were needed. So their ...Category
Vintage 1940s American Baroque Revival Brooches
MaterialsMixed Metal
- Artist BertoiaStyle Hammered SterlingSilver SquiggleSpiral UndulatingWire BroochLocated in Chicago, ILThis modern mid-century abstract three-dimensional unsigned brooch is a single hand-hammered sterling-silver wire that was shaped by an artist into an undulating squiggle that ends i...Category
Early 20th Century American Modern Brooches
MaterialsSterling Silver
- ArtNouveau Antique ArtistSigned Peacocks Set HandWroughtMetals Earrings & BroochBy Louis Comfort TiffanyLocated in Chicago, ILThis antique Art-Nouveau period American-signed metalsmithed set features intricately etched, chased, chiseled and pierced curvaceous peacocks in unusual copper-gilt silver. "Sterlin...Category
Early 20th Century American Art Nouveau Brooches
MaterialsSterling Silver, Copper
- Couture 1936-49 Schiaparelli-Dali-Style Set FauxSapphire&Pearl Earrings & BroochLocated in Chicago, ILThis surrealistic handcrafted faux-sapphire-topped-pearl cluster brooch and clip-earrings set dates to around WWII, when fashion designer Elsa Sch...Category
Vintage 1940s American Modern Brooches
MaterialsCrystal, Pearl, Sapphire, Mixed Metal
- Antique FabergeStyle 3AquamarineCabochons 4GreyDiamonds BezelSet Platinum BroochLocated in Chicago, ILThis antique Victorian platinum filigree bar-brooch or tie-pin from the Edwardian period in a Faberge style features bezel settings with three square-cut 10mm sugarloaf aquamarine ca...Category
Antique Early 1900s European Edwardian Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Aquamarine, Black Diamond, Platinum
You May Also Like
- One of a Kind 18 Karat White Gold Diamonds Blue Pink Sapphires Butterfly BroochBy FRALEONILocated in Rome, IT18 kt. white gold brooch with 4.84 carat of round-cut diamonds ( H-I color - VVS1-VVS2 ) and 39.26 carat of double rose-cut blue and pink sapphires. This one of a kind brooch...Category
2010s Italian Modern Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Blue Sapphire, Pink Sapphire, 18k Gold, White Gold
- 18 Karat Yellow Gold Multicolored Sapphire Diamonds Flower BroochBy FRALEONILocated in Rome, IT18 kt. yellow gold brooch with 8.91 ct. of round cut diamonds and 33.15 ct. of round and oval cut multicolored sapphires. This classic brooch is hand-made in Italy. The brooch can al...Category
Vintage 1970s Italian Modern Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Sapphire, 18k Gold, Yellow Gold
- 1970 Lunati 18 kt Gold Bird Of Paradise BroochLocated in Palermo, ITGold brooch with Blue enamel and 0.60-carat diamonds, Italian manufacture Lunati. Tear-off security closure Approximate size: Very large, 12 cm A stunning piece of wearable art. The ...Category
Vintage 1970s European Retro Brooches
MaterialsWhite Diamond, 18k Gold
- Vintage Ruby and Diamond Flower BroochLocated in Armadale, VictoriaIntroducing a timeless piece of elegance: the 18ct White Gold Large Ruby And Diamond Flower Brooch. Crafted circa 1960, this exquisite accessory exudes vintage charm and sophisticati...Category
Mid-20th Century Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, Ruby
- Victorian Burma Sapphire 4.60ct Certificated Untreated, Pearl, Ruby Bee/Insect/BLocated in London, GBAn exceptional, exquisite and well preserved Victorian brooch in the form of a bee with ruby eyes, sapphire and diamond wings, natural pearl and cabochon natural untreated Burma Sapp...Category
Antique 1850s British Victorian Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, White Diamond, Natural Pearl, Ruby, Blue Sapphire, Pearl, Sapph...
- Diamond Needle, Platinum Art Deco, circa 1920Located in Berlin, DEDiamond needle, Platinum Art Deco around 1920 Classic piece of jewellery or fashion accessory of the Twenties, one liked to see what one could afford. This, however, in a simple ele...Category
Vintage 1920s German Art Deco Brooches
MaterialsDiamond, 14k Gold, Platinum
Recently Viewed
View AllMore Ways To Browse
Contemporary Silver Jewelry
In Memory Of Jewelry
Cool Vintage Jewellery
Cool Vintage Jewelry
Reverse Glass Jewelry
Smithsonian Jewelry
Lava Jewlery
Lava Jewellery
Lava Jewelry
Metropolitan Museum Jewelry
Museum Of Modern Art Jewelry
Metropolitan Museum Of Art Jewelry
Metropolitan Museum Art Jewelry
Silver Rimmed Pendant
Concave Cut
Silver Industrial Pendant
Metropolitan Museum Of Art Jewelry Vintage
Vintage Glass Eye Studio