Design for escutcheon pendant with two women's and ram's head.
16th century
Medium
jewelry
Classification
jewelry
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Museum purchase through gift of various donors and from Eleanor G. Hewitt Fund
Accession Number
1938-88-956
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
This enigmatic 16th-century design for an escutcheon pendant, featuring two women's heads and a ram's, offers a glimpse into Renaissance-era jewelry artistry. An escutcheon, typically shield-shaped, was a popular motif in ornamental jewelry, often evoking heraldry or personal emblems. The intricate combination of graceful female profiles and the bold ram—symbolizing strength and vitality in classical iconography—suggests a pendant meant for adornment with both elegance and symbolism. Crafted as a preparatory drawing, this piece highlights the meticulous planning behind high-end jewelry of the...
About the Artist
Unknown
The artist designated as "Unknown" in our virtual museum's collection exemplifies a poignant chapter in art history: creators whose identities have faded into obscurity despite the enduring power of their work. With only one known artwork attributed to them in our holdings, this figure represents countless anonymous hands that shaped visual culture across centuries. Museums worldwide, including th...