Samuel Yellin
Sketch in Iron

ArtistAmerican, born Russia, 1884–1940
CultureAmerican
Titles
  • Sketch in Iron
Date1930–1940
PlacePhiladelphia, Pennsylvania, United States
MediumIron
DimensionsOverall: 23 1/4 × 13 5/8 × 3/4 in. (59.1 × 34.6 × 1.9 cm)
Credit LineGift of American Decorative Art 1900 Foundation in honor of Dominique and John de Menil
Object number2008.932
Non exposé

Explore Further

Object Type
Description

Trained in Europe as a traditional blacksmith, metalworker Samuel Yellin was credited in 1912 with reviving the craft of wrought iron in America. As a craftsman, Yellin believed in working out his designs in three-dimensional “sketches” in iron. These small studies show the blacksmith’s process and creativity as “expressed with the hammer.”


Yellin’s ironwork was commissioned for the private homes of the Vanderbilts and the DuPonts as well as for public spaces at Harvard University and the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C. This "sketch" demonstrates Yellin's extraordinary ability to manipulate metal. The naturalistic tendrils have been hand-pulled, giving the impression that the material is far more pliable than it is in reality.


ProvenanceBruce Barnes; given to MFAH, 2008.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Stamped lower right, recto: YELLIN

Cataloguing data may change with further research.

If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.

Overall.
Samuel Gassman
2023
Tiara: Iron, platinum, enamel on copper, 19th century neoclassical helmet shell cameos, pink conch shell cameo, 19th century malachite cameo, 19th century hard stone cameo, shell, ebony, rose quartz, citrine, opal, garnet, sea glass, aquamarine, amethyst, gold, natural pearls, tigers eye, 19th century cut steel, silk, cotton velvet, and silk floss Box: Archival foam core, Magic Smooth resin, cotton gauze, silk, cotton velvet, silver, metallic bullion ribbon, paper, cotton damask c. 1900, silk damask c. 1850, 18th century linen, cotton thread, and silk floss
2024.284.A,.B
Tea Kettle, Stand, and Burner
Samuel Kirk & Son
c. 1903–1924
Sterling silver
86.326.1,.2
Samuel Kirk & Son
c. 1903–1924
Sterling silver
86.327
Cooking Pot
Timo Sarpaneva
Designed 1960
Cast iron, enamel, and teak
98.526.A-.C
Letter Knife
Gorham Manufacturing Company
1902
Sterling silver with cast iron Tsuba
2004.1298
Kettle on Stand
Jan Eisenlöffel
1902
Brass, iron, wicker, and wood
2006.286.A-.E
Firescreen
Edgar Brandt
c. 1925
Wrought iron and gilding
2001.257
Pair of Chenets
Alberto Giacometti
designed 1933, made 1939
Gilt bronze and iron
2020.353.1,.2
Bowl
Daum Frères
1925–30
Glass and wrought iron
97.556
Rocking Chair
Wenzel Friedrich
1880–1890
Steer horn, horn veneer, jaguar hide, iron, chrome plated iron, and wood
83.138
Friedman Benda
Samuel Ross
2020
Fired OSB, burnished steel, and molasses lacquer
2021.548
Lady John Lewis, formerly Sarah Foote
Samuel Cooper
1647
Watercolor and bodycolor on vellum
2014.1035