Alexander Calder, the sculptor known for his mobiles, kept making jewelry throughout his life. Most of it was not made to sell, but to give to his wife, his family, and close friends. Based on the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s description of his work and an article from NPR, America’s public radio, here is the story of Calder’s jewelry.
The maker of mobiles also made jewelry
According to the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Calder first made accessories as a child, for his sister’s dolls.
Even after he became internationally known for his “mobiles,” which hang from the ceiling and move, and his “stabiles,” which stand on the floor, Calder kept making jewelry. He joined pieces of hammered brass or iron, using the spiral again and again.
The person who received the most: his wife, Louisa
Calder’s jewelry was made mainly for family and close friends, and given as gifts. The person who received the most was his wife, Louisa (Smithsonian American Art Museum).
According to NPR, the two met in 1929 on a ship sailing from Europe to New York. Calder made Louisa a gold wedding ring in the shape of a spiral.
The brass necklace in the Smithsonian American Art Museum’s collection is described as closely resembling one made for Louisa in 1940. The necklace was a gift to the museum from Mr. and Mrs. Calder.
Gifts for friends, made from everyday materials
The NPR article introduces a ring he gave to the painter Joan Miró: pieces of yellow and blue porcelain wrapped in brass wire.
His materials were brass, steel, silver, and bits of old glass or pottery. He hammered wire flat and bent it into leaves, circles, and above all spirals. He did not use welding or soldering.
Why didn’t he sell them?
According to the Smithsonian American Art Museum, Calder refused to sell his jewelry commercially. He wanted the people who wore it to know that it had been made by the artist’s own hands alone.
In 2008, this jewelry was shown in the exhibition “Calder Jewelry” at the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which then traveled to the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York and the Irish Museum of Modern Art in Dublin (NPR). Pieces made for his wife and friends came to be seen by many people in museums, decades later.
Things made for one person stay with them for a long time
I think something made while picturing one particular person cannot be replaced by anything else for the one who receives it. Calder’s jewelry, too, was not put up for sale, but treasured by the people it was given to.
The paintings I create to order are also each for one person, whose story I have listened to. One client told me, “The painting you created based on who I am is my greatest treasure!” Some people set it as the wallpaper on their phone, or keep it beside their desk at work, where they see it every day.
For a painting for yourself, or one to give to someone dear to you, thePERSONAL ORDER ARTpage has more details.
Summary
- Calder kept making jewelry all his life, even after he became known for his mobiles
- His jewelry was mainly given to family and close friends, and the person who received the most was his wife, Louisa
- He made Louisa a gold spiral wedding ring, and Miró a ring of porcelain pieces wrapped in brass wire
- He did not use soldering or welding, but shaped everything by hammering and bending by hand
- He refused to sell it commercially, wanting people to know it was made by the artist’s own hands alone
[References]
- Smithsonian American Art Museum (Alexander Calder, Necklace)
- NPR (Alexander Calder’s Jewelry Gets Its Due, Finally) Susan Stamberg, July 22, 2008
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