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"The Third Fake Maharajah" Brooch

Designer William Harper American
1986
Not on view
William Harper resurrected the medieval technique of cloisonné enamel that had captivated such turn-of-the-twentieth-century artist-designers as René Lalique, C. R. Ashbee, and Alexander Fisher. Like the Arts and Crafts artisans before him, Harper revels in combinations of color-rich materials. He is a master goldsmith whose techniques have the refinement of tradition, while his inspiration often derives from magic, mystery, African art, and Islamic design.

Artwork Details

Object Information
  • Title: "The Third Fake Maharajah" Brooch
  • Designer: William Harper (American, born Bucyrus, Ohio, 1944)
  • Date: 1986
  • Medium: 14K gold, 24K gold, gold cloisonné enamel on silver and gold, sterling silver, citrine, tourmaline, pearl, mirror, and plastic
  • Dimensions: 3 7/8 × 4 1/8 × 1/2 in., 0.2 lb. (9.8 × 10.5 × 1.3 cm, 0.1 kg)
  • Classification: Jewelry
  • Credit Line: Gift of Donna Schneier, 2007
  • Object Number: 2007.384.20
  • Rights and Reproduction: © William Harper
  • Curatorial Department: Modern and Contemporary Art
More Artwork
Glass Gardens Cask II; Tomb Jewel II, William Harper  American, Wood, leather, glass, plastic, shell, specimen butterfly, mixed media metals, cord, gold
William Harper
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Gray and Brass, John Sloan  American, Oil on canvas, American
John Sloan
1907
"Homage to Cy Twombly and Joseph Cornell" Brooch in book, William Harper  American, Brooch: 14K gold, 18K gold, 24K gold, gold cloisonné enamel on gold and silver, sterling silver, tourmaline, coral, agate, Mexican opal, and pearl<br/>Book: Leather and mixed media
Designer William Harper
1994
Necklace, Meta Overbeck  American, Gold, emeralds, Montana sapphires, topazes, enamel, American
Meta Overbeck
Louis C. Tiffany
Manufacturer Tiffany & Co.
ca. 1914–15
"Faberge's Twins" Brooch, William Harper  American, 14K and 24K gold, gold cloisonné enamel on fine silver, sterling silver, tourmalines, and pearl
Designer William Harper
1993

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