If you have
ever been curious about the role jewelry has played in the history of the United
States, you may be able to satiate your curiosity with a visit to the American
Folk Art Museum in New York. The National Jewelry Institute, a nonprofit
organization, is currently presenting its inaugural exhibit, titled
"Masterpieces of American Jewelry", through January 23, 2005.
The exhibit will highlight the creativity and design excellence of American
jewelry from its beginnings in the late 18th century through the 1980's.
Through this show one can not only appreciate the craftsmanship of American
designers but, unlike other forms of art that focus solely on the creators,
jewelry also demonstrates the tastes of the consumer.
The show features five themes that reflect our nation's humor, patriotism,
pastimes, landscapes and sophisticated high style. These are showcased in five
major categories and one-hundred-twenty-five pieces that were all manufactured
and distributed in America.
The Americana genre praises the American spirit through jewelry depicting
historical events. From the War of 1812 and the suffragette movement and single
American flags as expressions of national pride, there are many examples of
patriotism through jewelry.
The Nature movement yielded many pieces inspired by plants and animals from
around the globe. There are landscape-inspired pieces that take the theme one
step further by using only native stones to the U.S. like Montana sapphires and
turquoise mined in Arizona.
Humor, though seemingly an odd subject to inspire jewelry design; has been a
redundant theme through the decades. Wit and good old fashioned American
optimism has held strong throughout even our most trying of times. One of the
more popular examples of this enduring spirit was displayed in the pins, by
Raymond C. Yard, during Prohibition that depicted rabbit waiters carrying trays
of cocktails.
The "Pastime" pieces reflect how Americans liked to spend their free time.
Whether it is fishing, hunting or watching sports, this part of the exhibit
contains many tributes to hobbies and pastimes. Most notably showcased is
Americans fascination with Baseball. The diamond bracelet former New York
Yankees manager Joe McCarthy commissioned for his wife (to commemorate World
Series wins in 1937, 1938, 1939, 1941 and 1943) sits next to a charm bracelet,
complete with bat and ball, from the Grand Rapids Chicks, one of the 1940s all
female teams.
The last category is "High Style". This section features some of society's
leading ladies and their fantastic jewels. The sampling includes photographs of
eleven women who distinguished themselves by creating a personal style that
infused the highest standards of art with their individual spirit. The women
showcased are Mary Pickford, Joan Crawford, Grace Kelly, Jacqueline Kennedy
Onassis, Clare Boothe Luce, Barbara Paley, Countess Mona Bismarck, Georgia
O'Keeffe, Loretta Young, Millicent Rogers and the Duchess of Windsor.
This exhibit tells of our shared past and how our patriotic and whimsical
personality is depicted through our choices in jewelry. Don't miss this unique
glance at our past.