A brooch in the form of a realistic decaying leaf. Decay and dryness are communicated through the use of natural edges on the left side of the leaf and jagged edges where negative space remains on half of the leaf left of center and smaller areas on the right of center. There are several tones of medium brown that show different stages of decomposition together with the levels of waviness represented in the brittle surface of the leaf.

See more objects with the tag nature, cast, leaf, realistic.

Object Timeline

1995	Work on this object began.
2016	We acquired this object. We photographed this object.
2017	We exhibited this object.
2024	You found it!

Brooch, ca. 1995

This is a brooch. It was designed by John Iversen. It is dated ca. 1995 and we acquired it in 2016. Its medium is cast bronze. It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department.

A master metalsmith and artist, Iversen creates his brooch directly from nature in a process similar to lost wax casting augmented by technical interventions that reserve the delicate veins and ragged edges of the leaf.

This object was donated by Susan Lewin. It is credited The Susan Grant Lewin Collection, Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum.

Leaves Necklace
gilt metal, silk.
1979-2-1

Drawing, Grape Leaves
1972-54-2

Sidewall, Assorted Leaves
screen-printed on paper.
Purchase.
1991-46-1

Its dimensions are

H x W: 15.9 × 10.8 × 1.1 cm (6 1/4 × 4 1/4 × 7/16 in.)

It has the following markings

On reverse: etched "IVERSEN"

Cite this object as

Brooch, ca. 1995; Designed by John Iversen (German, b.1953); cast bronze; H x W: 15.9 × 10.8 × 1.1 cm (6 1/4 × 4 1/4 × 7/16 in.); The Susan Grant Lewin Collection, Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum; 2016-34-46

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Jewelry of Ideas: Gifts from the Susan Grant Lewin Collection.

Short URL http://cprhw.tt/o/R36Ai/
Accession Number 2016-34-46
Object ID 554917337