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This ring embodies principles of Constructivist design that the artist learned from Lázló Moholy-Nagy at the New Bauhaus in Chicago. This 20th-century movement emphasized geometry, reflected light, motion, transparency, and spatial organization. Margaret De Patta expressed these concepts by using geometric forms and unusual materials, like this quartz, a clear stone with black needle-like crystals embedded within it. To achieve an impression of stones floating in space, De Patta created innovative settings that avoided traditional bezels and prongs and instead used open structures and cantilevers. The final product exploits the graphic qualities of tourmalinated quartz with an asymmetric, linear setting that mimics naturally occurring crosses and diagonals of the black rutiles suspended in the stone. When moved, the ring offers changing views of overlapping lines in space. De Patta’s pioneering work earned her recognition as a seminal figure in the field of studio jewelry.
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Ring
Margaret De Patta (American, 1903–1964)
American
1947–48
Object Place: San Francisco, California
Medium/Technique
White gold (18k), tourmalinated quartz
Dimensions
Overall: 3.2 x 1.9 x 2.4 cm (1 1/4 x 3/4 x 15/16 in.)
Credit Line
The Daphne Farago Collection
Accession Number2013.1689
ClassificationsJewelry / Adornment – Rings
This ring embodies principles of Constructivist design that the artist learned from Lázló Moholy-Nagy at the New Bauhaus in Chicago. This 20th-century movement emphasized geometry, reflected light, motion, transparency, and spatial organization. Margaret De Patta expressed these concepts by using geometric forms and unusual materials, like this quartz, a clear stone with black needle-like crystals embedded within it. To achieve an impression of stones floating in space, De Patta created innovative settings that avoided traditional bezels and prongs and instead used open structures and cantilevers. The final product exploits the graphic qualities of tourmalinated quartz with an asymmetric, linear setting that mimics naturally occurring crosses and diagonals of the black rutiles suspended in the stone. When moved, the ring offers changing views of overlapping lines in space. De Patta’s pioneering work earned her recognition as a seminal figure in the field of studio jewelry.
DescriptionWhite gold and tourmalinated quartz ring. (Tourmalinated = quartz embedded with tourmaline crystals, commonly black tourmaline.)
ProvenanceFrom the artist to Helen Hall; bequest of Helen Hall to Avis Hall Blanchette (sister-in-law); October 20, 2006, sold by Mobilia Gallery to Daphne Farago; 2013, gift of Daphne Farago to the MFA. (Accession Date: December 18, 2013)