Clasp
1720–50
Medium
Gold
Dimensions
0.6 × 3.2 × 0.4 cm (1/4 × 1 1/4 × 13/16 in.)
Classification
clasp (fastener)
Department
Arts of the Americas
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Accession Number
102119
Rights
Public Domain
Art Historical Context
This delicate gold clasp, created by Henricus Boelen between 1720 and 1750, represents the refined metalworking traditions of colonial America. Housed in the Art Institute of Chicago’s Arts of the Americas department, the tiny fastener—measuring just over an inch long—demonstrates the high level of precision required to shape and detail such a small yet functional object from precious metal. As both a practical fastener and an ornamental accent, the clasp likely adorned clothing or accessories, reflecting the blend of utility and elegance prized in eighteenth-century society. Its gold medium highlights the material’s enduring value, while Boelen’s craftsmanship speaks to the skilled artisans working in the Americas during this period. Today, the piece offers visitors a glimpse into the intimate details of daily life and personal adornment from centuries past.
About the Artist
Henricus Boelen · 1697–1755
1697–1755