Pendant Design
Classification
ornament
Department
Smithsonian Collection
Museum
Smithsonian American Art Museum
Credit
Purchased for the Museum by the Advisory Council
Accession Number
1921-6-469-7
About this artwork
Research in Progress
Art Historical Context
Hans Collaert the Elder (ca. 1530–1581), a prominent Flemish engraver from Antwerp, created this *Pendant Design* in 1581, the very year of his death. Working in the vibrant Northern Renaissance tradition, Collaert specialized in intricate designs for decorative arts, particularly jewelry and ornaments. Flanders during this era was a hub of artistic innovation under Spanish Habsburg rule, where goldsmiths and engravers collaborated to produce luxurious items for the nobility and elite. His works often served as precise models (modelli) for jewelers, bridging fine art and craftsmanship. As a p...