Brooch: Spirit Level Series: M.4-2021

Current Location: In storage

Titles

Brooch: Spirit Level Series

Maker(s)

Entities

Brooch

Description

Elongated oval frame of oxidised silver from which hangs nine tear-shaped drop elements, seven of oxidised and plain silver, two of green gold (added by the jeweller in 2021). The wire used to construct the frame was drawn thorugh a shaped drawplate.

Silver elongated oval frame from which hangs nine tear-shaped drop elements, seven of oxidised and plain silver, two of 18 carat French green gold (added by the jeweller in 2021). The wire used to construct the frame was drawn thorugh a shaped drawplate.

Notes

History note: Purchased by Lady Vaizey from the Crafts Council Shop at the V&A, 6 Ocotber 1999.

Legal notes

Give by Lady Vaizey CBE

Place(s) associated

Edinburgh ⪼ Scotland

Acquisition and important dates

Method of acquisition: Given (2021-05-10) by Vaizey, Marina, Lady

Dating

Circa 1997 - 1999

Note

This work was part of the 'Spirit Level' series made by Hogg between 1993 and 1997. The title alludes to the fact that, at the time, Hogg was juggling running a major art college department with an active exhibition schedule and family life – life was a balancing act. In 1994, the Scottish Gallery, hosted a major solo exhibition of Hogg’s work at which this series first appeared. This piece was acquired from that exhibition by the donor, curator and art critic, Marina Vaizey. Lady Vaizey subsequently included works from this series in the exhibition of modern jewellery, 'Shining Through', that she was invited to curate for the Crafts Council in 1995. Two slightly different works from this series are in the permanent collections of the Crafts Council and Goldsmiths’ Company. The two green gold elements were added to this brooch by Hogg in 2021, in anticipation of its gift to the Museum, honouring both the donor and the Museum itself.