Six Circles Brooch

This large brooch Six Circles is made by Alexander Calder (1898-1976) circa 1940. Like much of Calder’s work, line is emphasized through the artist’s use of a single continuous flat brass wire, hammered and shaped into six circles. The circles are joined together and created a large triangular-shaped brooch approximately six by six inches. Typical of Calder’s jewelry, the brooch integrates itself into the shape of the body, nestling across the chest. The MFA has six examples of Calder’s jewelry in its collection, including three brooches, a necklace and a pair of earrings in silver and pair of shirt studs in brass. This is the first major example of Calder jewelry made of brass to enter the MFA collection. The brooch is a classic example of Calder’s jewelry which he made throughout his career and gifted to friends, collectors and family. It was originally owned by Aviva Baal-Teshuva, wife to the noted author and critic on modern and contemporary art, Jacob Baal-Teshuva.