Artist
William Harper(American, born 1944)American, born 1944
CultureAmerican
Titles
- The Magician's Chain
Date2003
PlaceUnited States
MediumGold, enamel, fine silver, 14k, 18k, and 24k gold, and carnelian
DimensionsOverall (as worn): 15 × 10 × 1 in. (38.1 × 25.4 × 2.5 cm)
Overall: 35 1/2 in. (90.2 cm)
Overall: 35 1/2 in. (90.2 cm)
Credit LineThe Leatrice S. and Melvin B. Eagle Collection, museum purchase funded by the Caroline Wiess Law Accessions Endowment Fund
Object number2010.2078
Not on view
Explore Further
Department
Decorative Arts, Craft, and DesignSpecial Collections
Object Type
Exhibition History"Masters of the Medium: Honorees of the James Renwick Alliance," Walter E. Washington Convention Center, Washington, November 20–23, 2003.
"Beyond Craft: Decorative Arts from the Leatrice S. and Melvin B. Eagle Collection," Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, February 23–May 26, 2014; Mint Museum of Art, Charlotte, September 6, 2014–February 22, 2015; Canton Museum of Art, Ohio, August 27–October 25, 2015.
Inscriptions, Signatures and Marks
Engraved on the back of the central pendant: "THE MAGICIAN'S CHAIN / William Harper / 2003 / WILLIAM HARPER" (artist's name signed the first time in script, and the second time printed)
Engraved on the back of the central pendant: "William Harper"
Cataloguing data may change with further research.
If you have questions about this work of art or the MFAH Online Collection please contact us.
William Harper
1977
14k, 18k, and 24k gold, silver, shell, freshwater pearl, cloisonné enamel, and fine silver
2002.3800
William Harper
1978
14k and 24k gold, silver, bronze, scarab shell, pearls, bone, glass, cloisonné enamel, fine gold, and fine silver
2002.3801
William Harper
1980
24k gold, silver, cloisonné and champlevé enamel on copper and fine silver, 14k gold, and sterling silver
2002.3804
William Harper
1995
Gold, enamel, fine silver and gold, 14k and 22k gold, sterling silver, and labradorite
2010.2077
Jennifer Trask
2007
Sterling silver, 18k, 22k, and 24k gold, copper, shakudo, steel, ivory, hematite, carnelian, garnet, hessonite, moonstones, butterfly wings, pandora moth wings, dragonfly and cranefly wings, feathers, snakeskin, glass eyes of fish and reptiles, eyeshadow made of fish scales, gold powder, mica powder, bronze powder, gold and mica flakes, crushed shells, bronze shavings, ficus leaf, and rust
2009.1660.1
Keith A. Lewis
2002
Sterling silver, fine silver, 24k gold plate, enamel on copper, and pearls
2007.456.A-.E
William Harper
1980
Sterling silver, 24K gold, cloisonné enamel, and mercury gilding
2002.3805
Elizabeth Garrison
1988
Fine and sterling silver, enamel, copper, 14k gold, ebony, and fossil ivory
2002.3771
William Harper
1979
14k gold, silver, baroque pearl, pearl, cloisonné enamel, and copper
2002.3803
William Harper
1979
14k gold, silver, jade, agate, baroque pearls, cloisonné enamel, and copper
2002.3802
William Harper
1977
14 and 18k gold, silver, fresh and saltwater pearls, snake rattle, shell, cloisonné enamel, and copper
2002.3799