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Necklace
American
about 1970–75
Medium/Technique
Silver, jade, agate, carnelian
Dimensions
Overall: 15.2 x 4.4 x 0.6cm (6 x 1 3/4 x 1/4in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Lucy Fields
Accession Number1993.893
CollectionsJewelry, Contemporary Art, Americas
ClassificationsJewelry / Adornment – Necklaces and neck bands
The metalsmith Miyé Matsukata studied at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston in the 1940s, and afterward traveled to Scandinavia to explore modern design. When she returned to Boston, she co-founded Atelier Janiyé with two SMFA classmates. Her style was innovative, and her artistic practice included gem setting, metalsmithing, and enamel arts. This necklace from later in her career combines texture, geometry, and movement. In the 1970s, when this necklace was made, Matsukata’s work was featured at Joan Sonnabend’s Sculpture to Wear gallery at the Plaza Hotel in New York, alongside jewelry by artists like Alexander Calder and Pablo Picasso.
DescriptionPendant consists of three vertically organized rectangles of jadeite, reticulated silver, and agate, with five tubular pendants that terminate in carnelian cabochons. Flattened snake necklace probably commercially produced. (from card)
Marks
"Janiye / STERLING" on back. (from card)
ProvenanceThe artist, to Mrs. Lucy Fields in the 1970's; to MFA 1993, gift.
CopyrightReproduced with permission.