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In 1913 Josephine Hartwell Shaw was the first named woman jeweler to be represented in the MFA’s collection. An early member of Boston’s Society of Arts and Crafts, Shaw designed and fabricated her creations, including this necklace, a private commission for Mrs. Atherton Loring of Boston. In a 1915 House Beautiful article Shaw described how sometimes the stone “suggests the setting,” and that is evident here where the central elements are two pale green Chinese jades, complemented by green-toned gold and polished rectangular plaques of humble green glass. A sophisticated composition and one of Shaw’s most important pieces, this necklace demonstrates a harmonious interplay of forms, colors, and contrasting textures. Working in Boston and later in Duxbury, Shaw created works that were highly acclaimed beyond Massachusetts; she exhibited her jewelry at the Cleveland Decorative Arts Club (1908) and the Art Institute of Chicago (1911 and 1918).
Necklace
Josephine Hartwell Shaw (American, 1865–1941)
American
1910–18
Object Place: Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Medium/Technique
Gold, jade, colored glass
Dimensions
Overall (pendant): 10.2 x 9.2 x 0.6 cm (4 x 3 5/8 x 1/4 in.)
Length (chain): 83.8 cm (33 in.)
Length (chain): 83.8 cm (33 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Mrs. Atherton Loring
Accession Number1984.947
ClassificationsJewelry / Adornment – Necklaces and neck bands
In 1913 Josephine Hartwell Shaw was the first named woman jeweler to be represented in the MFA’s collection. An early member of Boston’s Society of Arts and Crafts, Shaw designed and fabricated her creations, including this necklace, a private commission for Mrs. Atherton Loring of Boston. In a 1915 House Beautiful article Shaw described how sometimes the stone “suggests the setting,” and that is evident here where the central elements are two pale green Chinese jades, complemented by green-toned gold and polished rectangular plaques of humble green glass. A sophisticated composition and one of Shaw’s most important pieces, this necklace demonstrates a harmonious interplay of forms, colors, and contrasting textures. Working in Boston and later in Duxbury, Shaw created works that were highly acclaimed beyond Massachusetts; she exhibited her jewelry at the Cleveland Decorative Arts Club (1908) and the Art Institute of Chicago (1911 and 1918).
DescriptionPendant of two white jade tear-shaped carvings with nine squares and three rectangular green stones on a four strand chain interrupted by four groups of five and two groups of three rectangular green stones. Carved white jade clasp.
Marks
"J.H. SHAW" incuse on a rectangular gold tag soldered to rear of pendant at top
ProvenanceThe necklace originally belonged to the mother-in-law of the donor. Collection of Nancy Loring by 1975; inherited by her daughter-in-law, Anne B. Loring 1975; to MFA December 17, 1984, gift.