black crocheted chevron-shaped front element with tapering crocheted neck band, with loop and square button closure; chevron decorated with various buttons--clear round, blue and purple squares, pink domed basket-weave--loops of iridescent black wire in flower shapes, shield with stripes and stars at front center, and iridescent wing form ornaments at edges; rust colored backing fabric

Necklace, c. 1985-1987

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Mixed media crochetexpand_more

Gift of Joanne G. Pollaraexpand_more  2021.49.1.2

Not on Viewexpand_more

Irene Reed was a Connecticut-based artist who worked with a diverse array of media -- including found items -- and off-loom fiber techniques, but was best known for her crochet creations -- typically hats, purses, accessories, and small sculptures. An important technical innovation of Reed's was to create three-dimensionality by building crochet stitches over sections of trapunto quilting. This winged cloche is reminiscent of the headwear of the Greco-Roman messenger god, Hermes/Mercury. But such a serious reading of the hat quickly unravels when one realizes that the "jewels" on the matching necklace are actually found buttons.

Details
Title
Necklace
Artist Life
1946 - 2012
Role
Artist
Accession Number
2021.49.1.2
Curator Approved

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black crocheted chevron-shaped front element with tapering crocheted neck band, with loop and square button closure; chevron decorated with various buttons--clear round, blue and purple squares, pink domed basket-weave--loops of iridescent black wire in flower shapes, shield with stripes and stars at front center, and iridescent wing form ornaments at edges; rust colored backing fabric
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