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Thumbnail-size images of copyrighted artworks are displayed under fair use, in accordance with guidelines recommended by the Code of Best Practices in Fair Use for the Visual Arts, published by the College Art Association in February 2015.
Chatelaine brooch
Joseff of Hollywood (American, founded in 1930)
American
1940–1949
Medium/Technique
Metal, glass
Dimensions
Height x width: 13 × 22.5 cm (5 1/8 × 8 7/8 in.)
Credit Line
Gift of Carole Tanenbaum
Accession Number2018.3963
ClassificationsJewelry / Adornment – Brooches
DescriptionThis chatelaine brooch consists of two paired brooches attached by three chains in a "Russian" or antique gilt finish. The wearer would have affixed one brooch to each side (front or back) of a jacket or cardigan. Each brooch features two coiled snakes adorned with three bezel-set, red glass cabochons. Suspended from one of the brooches are three charms: a snake, a crown, and a prong-set, marquise-cut, pink glass stone.
Marks
Joseff [in script]
ProvenanceBetween about 1970s and 2018, acquired by Carole Tanenbaum, Toronto, Ontario [see note]; 2018, gift of Carole Tanenbaum to the MFA. (Accession Date: December 12, 2018)
NOTE: This is part of a large collection of costume jewelry given to the MFA in 2018, which had been built over about 40 years.
NOTE: This is part of a large collection of costume jewelry given to the MFA in 2018, which had been built over about 40 years.