"Faberge's Twins" Brooch

William Harper

1993 · 14K and 24K gold, gold cloisonné enamel on fine silver, sterling silver, tourmalines, and pearl · Modern and Contemporary Art

William Harper views this work as commingling the styles of two distinct cultural groups—by referencing on the one hand Fabergé eggs, exquisite but "sterile" objects made in the waning years of a decadent Russian court, and on the other, dazzling gold objects made by the Ashanti peoples of West Africa, which he sees as having a "refined roughness" that exudes genuine passion. In Harper’s conceit, suggesting male and female parts, the egg is fertilized by the gold work to produce fraternal twins.

Artist

William Harper

Date

1993

Medium

14K and 24K gold, gold cloisonné enamel on fine silver, sterling silver, tourmalines, and pearl

Department

Modern and Contemporary Art

Credit line

Gift of Donna Schneier, 2007