Wood Necklace #12

Artist Bruce Metcalf (American, born 1949)

Date1994

Dimensions16 7/8 × 15 × 1 1/2 in. (42.9 × 38.1 × 3.8 cm)
Mount: 22 × 22 1/8 × 1 1/2 in. (55.9 × 56.2 × 3.8 cm)

MediumMaple, cedar, walnut, oak, cork, found woods, brass, silver, aluminum, copper, stainless steel cable, Corian (tm), peanut

ClassificationJewelry

Credit LineGift of Sara Jane Kasperzak

Object number

1999.24

On View

Toledo Museum of Art (2445 Monroe Street), Gallery, 07

Label TextThough he labels himself a "jeweler," any of American artist and writer Bruce Metcalf's pieces defy easy classification as jewelry: heavy with content, much of his work is better described as small-scale, wearable sculpture. “I present narratives about redemption. These are stories about the difficult process of learning to see the other as truly human, about making offerings to those in need, and about the urgent need for all of us to nurture something or somebody.” Metcalf’s neckpiece is both narrative and symbolic. He leaves the meaning of his ornament ambiguous: viewer and wearer are invited to find individual meaning through reflection and to construct their own, independent narrative.