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Object Timeline

1946

  • We acquired this object.

2015

2025

  • You found it!

Hummingbird heads Earrings

This is a Earrings. It is dated late 19th century and we acquired it in 1946. Its medium is hummingbird heads, gold; imitation leather, velvet, satin. It is a part of the Product Design and Decorative Arts department.

The fashion for incorporating hummingbird heads or feathers into jewerly was popular in the middle of the nineteenth century, when the exploration of South and Central America was catching the interest of North AMericans and Europeans. These birds may have originated in Brazil, but were probably set into their gold mounts in the United States or Europe. (Jewelry 1989-90)

This object was donated by R. Keith Kane. It is credited Gift of the estate and in memory of Robert B. Noyes.

  • Hair Ornament (China)
  • kingfisher feathers, lacquer, silk-covered wire.
  • Gift of William Dangaix Allen.
  • 1939-73-11

Its dimensions are

H x W x D (a, b): 4.5 x 2 x 3 cm (1 3/4 x 13/16 x 1 3/16 in.)

Cite this object as

Hummingbird heads Earrings; possibly USA; hummingbird heads, gold; imitation leather, velvet, satin; H x W x D (a, b): 4.5 x 2 x 3 cm (1 3/4 x 13/16 x 1 3/16 in.); Gift of the estate and in memory of Robert B. Noyes; 1946-50-87-a/c

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If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-6.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18603653/ |title=Hummingbird heads Earrings |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=19 March 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>