A Mother's Pearls
Thomas Seir Cummings American, born England
Not on view
The artist composed this festoon necklace from portraits of his children, nine ivory ovals linked as a necklace for his wife, Jane Cook (1806-1889). As portrayed, the children range in age from one to sixteen; the firstborn, Charles, died in 1831 and is represented posthumously in the smallest oval at center. The other children are (left to right): Lydia M. (1837-1927), George F. (1835-1910), Henry R. (1829-1873), Thomas A. (1825-1859), Rebecca C. (1827-1859), Jane E. (1831-1903), Charles P. (1833-1879), and Sarah A. (1840-1919). The Cummingses later had five more children.
This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.