{"meta":{"version":"2.1","_links":{"self":{"href":"https://api.vam.ac.uk/v2/object/O71681"},"collection_page":{"href":"https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O71681/"}},"images":null,"see_also":null},"record":{"systemNumber":"O71681","accessionNumber":"M.2-1988","objectType":"Brooch","titles":[],"summaryDescription":"Organic materials, derived from animal or plant sources, often have a very low intrinsic value, but many have been used in jewellery since ancient times. \r\n\r\nThomas Gentille’s eggshell shows how our perception of a modest material may be transformed through the maker’s vision and skill. In the catalogue for his exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1987 he stated: ‘the less precious a material, the more difficult it is to work, to make it speak, to find its soul.’ He uses both traditional metals and materials, but equally explores a number of unconventional materials transformed through labour-intensive processes.\r\n\r\nThis brooch belongs to a series he made based on a traditional Japanese technique of inlaying eggshell into wet lacquer. The surface has a graphic yet ethereal quality. \r\n\r\nGentille studied painting and sculpture before becoming a goldsmith. In spite of his training he considers himself as self-taught and proud of his interdisciplinary approach. For him the concept of a piece is as important as skilled craftsmanship.","physicalDescription":"Circular brooch with a crazed surface of white on black, and with a raised vertical rib running from top to bottom.","artistMakerPerson":[{"name":{"text":"Gentille, Thomas","id":"A22177"},"association":{"text":"designed and made by","id":"x28674"},"note":""}],"artistMakerOrganisations":[],"artistMakerPeople":[],"materials":[{"text":"ostrich eggshell","id":"x42562"},{"text":"wood","id":"AAT11914"},{"text":"bronze","id":"AAT10957"},{"text":"gold","id":"AAT11021"}],"techniques":[],"materialsAndTechniques":"Ostrich eggshell, wood, bronze and gold","categories":[{"text":"Jewellery","id":"THES48930"}],"styles":[],"collectionCode":{"text":"MET","id":"THES48599"},"images":[],"imageResolution":"none","galleryLocations":[{"current":{"text":"91","id":"THES49703"},"free":"","case":"39","shelf":"B","box":"1"}],"partTypes":[[{"text":"Brooch","id":""}]],"contentWarnings":[{"apprise":"","note":""}],"placesOfOrigin":[{"place":{"text":"USA","id":"x29333"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"productionDates":[{"date":{"text":"ca. 1982","earliest":"1977-01-01","latest":"1986-12-31"},"association":{"text":"made","id":"x28654"},"note":""}],"associatedObjects":[],"creditLine":"Given by the artist","dimensions":[{"dimension":"Diameter","value":"7.6","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""},{"dimension":"Depth","value":"0.9","unit":"cm","qualifier":"","date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"part":"","note":""}],"dimensionsNote":"","marksAndInscriptions":[{"content":"T. GENTILLE DE MARCO SERIES","inscriber":{"name":{"text":"","id":""},"association":{"text":"","id":""}},"date":{"text":"","earliest":null,"latest":null},"description":"","interpretation":"","language":"","medium":"","method":"","position":"","script":"","translation":"","transliteration":"","type":"","note":"ENGRAVED ON THE REVERSE"}],"objectHistory":"RF 1988/179","historicalContext":"","briefDescription":"Brooch of inlaid ostrich eggshell, by Thomas Gentille, New York, ca. 1982.","bibliographicReferences":[{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Wally Gilbert/ Thomas Gentille, Victoria and Albert Museum, London 1987"},{"reference":{"text":"","id":""},"details":"","free":"Ornamenta 1, Internationale Schmuckkunst, Munich 1989"}],"production":"","productionType":{"text":"","id":""},"contentDescription":"","contentPlaces":[],"associatedPlaces":[],"contentPerson":[],"associatedPerson":[],"contentOrganisations":[],"associatedOrganisations":[],"contentPeople":[],"associatedPeople":[],"contentEvents":[],"associatedEvents":[],"contentOthers":[],"contentConcepts":[],"contentLiteraryRefs":[],"galleryLabels":[],"partNumbers":["M.2-1988"],"accessionNumberNum":"2","accessionNumberPrefix":"M","accessionYear":1988,"otherNumbers":[],"copyNumber":"","aspects":["WHOLE"],"assets":["2019LP4518","2019LT1885","2019LU7100","2021MU9071"],"recordModificationDate":"2025-04-12","recordCreationDate":"2002-12-08","availableToBook":false}}