Silver Gander (Chinese Gander)

Currently not on view

Silver Gander (Chinese Gander)

1943

Frederick W. Harer (American, 1879–1948)

Best known for building remarkable Arts and Crafts–style frames (like those seen on paintings in this gallery), Frederick Harer was also an accomplished sculptor, painter, printmaker, and furniture maker. This sculpture, which incorporates many of the same materials and techniques that the artist used to make his distinctive frames, was intricately carved out of wood, painted with red-brown bole (a substance used to adhere gilding), and covered with a delicate veil of silver leaf. Harer then enhanced the details with incising and burnishing tools to create a lively surface for Silver Gander, which has long been one of the most popular works in the Museum’s collection.

Currently not on view

Object Details

Title:

Silver Gander (Chinese Gander)

Date:

1943

Artist:

Frederick W. Harer (American, 1879–1948)

Medium:

Wood with silver gilding

Dimensions:

32 7/8 × 17 × 13 inches (83.5 × 43.2 × 33 cm) Base: 1 1/2 × 16 × 13 inches (3.8 × 40.6 × 33 cm)

Classification:

Sculpture

Credit Line:

Gift of the artist, 1952

Accession Number:

1952-53-1

Geography:

Made in New Hope, Pennsylvania, United States, North and Central America

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Currently not on view