Modernism: American Art Nouveau - Centerpiece Bowl

Once compared to the 16th-century Italian goldsmith Benvenuto Cellini, Marie Zimmermann worked equally well in silver, gold, iron, and brass. But it was with copper that she created her most naturalistic designs. This hammered bowl, like many of her pieces, is based on Chinese metalwork from the T'ang dynasty. The bowl's elegant restraint follows the Arts and Crafts tradition, but its foliate form and tendril-like handles echo the lines and spirit of Art Nouveau. Although Zimmerman made a wide range of objects, from jewelry, flatware, and tea sets to furniture and architectural ornaments, her metalworks are generally considered her finest creations.

Part of the Modernism Web site, featuring objects from the collection of the Minneapolis Institute of Arts and curator David Ryan, this video was originally produced in 1999. http://www.artsmia.org/modernism/

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• modernism
• design
• style
• art
• nouveau
• metalwork
• minneapolis
• institute