Charles T. Grosjean (American, died 1888). Napkin Clip, 1 of 2, 1878–1879. Gilt silver and enamel, 2 1/2 x 3 1/4 x 3/4 in. (6.4 x 8.3 x 1.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the American Art Council, 1991.101.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1991.101.1-2_SL3.jpg)
Charles T. Grosjean (American, died 1888). Napkin Clip, 1 of 2, 1878–1879. Gilt silver and enamel, 2 1/2 x 3 1/4 x 3/4 in. (6.4 x 8.3 x 1.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the American Art Council, 1991.101.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 1991.101.1_1991.101.2_bw.jpg)
Charles T. Grosjean (American, died 1888). Napkin Clip, 1 of 2, 1878–1879. Gilt silver and enamel, 2 1/2 x 3 1/4 x 3/4 in. (6.4 x 8.3 x 1.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the American Art Council, 1991.101.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: , 1991.101.1_1991.101.2_transp342.jpg)
Napkin Clip, 1 of 2
Decorative Arts and Design
On View: Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor
MEDIUM
Gilt silver and enamel
DATES
1878–1879
DIMENSIONS
2 1/2 x 3 1/4 x 3/4 in. (6.4 x 8.3 x 1.9 cm) (show scale)
MARKINGS
On inside of one underside of body: STERLING SILVER.
On inside of other underside of body: TIFFANY & Co (in arch) /5627 M 6557 (?).
On underside of one wing near body: ET in small rectangle (French import mark).
On top side of one wing: small indecipherable mark.
COLLECTIONS
Decorative Arts and Design
ACCESSION NUMBER
1991.101.1
CREDIT LINE
Gift of the American Art Council
CATALOGUE DESCRIPTION
Napkin clip, gilt silver and enamel, in the form of a butterfly. Attached to the thorax are two spring-hinged wings which, when compressed, open the legs and underbelly of the thorax along a wavy line and spring back to clasp napkin. On thorax, front, is stylized head, the lower part of which, at neck, is formed by a crown, which sits atop the Mackey coat of arms (three horizontal dots above two horizontal bars) in a shield. Below and to the sides of the shield is a banner with the motto: ET DIEU MON APPUI. From the banner depend tendril-like elements that form the interlocking monogram MLM (for Marie Louise Mackey). On under side of the thorax there is a cast-incised spiral at the head and three pairs of legs arranged along open seam. On both obverse and reverse of each wing is an intricate, inlaid, polychrome enamel pattern in which the color fields are separated by cloisonné wires. In the upper part of each wing surface is a vaguely pear-shaped section of pale yellow ground. At the base is a stylized clover blossom with pale yellow center and blue dots. This blossom is surrounded by three serrated, interwoven, spiraling leaf forms in blue with white star dots; along lower, outer edge is half of a stylized blossom in dark red. The ground graduates from a dark purple at inner area to speckled amber at outer area of wing. Lower section of each wing surface is a leaf shaped section of enamel partially outlined by serrated, pale yellow border. At base is a stylized white blossom with red center. This blossom is surrounded by three serrated interwoven leaf forms in blue with white dots; a partial stylized blossom in red peeks out from behind one blue leaf; there is a small blue dot at top of wing. The ground graduates from a dark purple at inner area to a speckled amber at outer area of wing. En suite with 1991.101.2.
CONDITION: Gilt slightly worn; otherwise excellent.
EXHIBITIONS
MUSEUM LOCATION
This item is on view in Luce Visible Storage and Study Center, 5th Floor
CAPTION
Charles T. Grosjean (American, died 1888). Napkin Clip, 1 of 2, 1878–1879. Gilt silver and enamel, 2 1/2 x 3 1/4 x 3/4 in. (6.4 x 8.3 x 1.9 cm). Brooklyn Museum, Gift of the American Art Council, 1991.101.1. Creative Commons-BY (Photo: Brooklyn Museum, 1991.101.1-2_SL3.jpg)
IMAGE
overall, 1991.101.1-2_SL3.jpg. Brooklyn Museum photograph, 2022
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RIGHTS STATEMENT
Creative Commons-BY
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