S-Curve Brooch

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    S-Curve Brooch Acquired by Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

“A technically sophisticated adornment with bold, visual appeal, Barbara Berk’s “S-Curve Brooch” is one of the highlights of the Museum’s late 20th century holdings.”
   Yvonne Markowitz, Rita J. Kaplan and Susan B. Kaplan
   Curator of Jewelry, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

The sculptural woven gold forms a “portrait collar”, framing the gemstone and returning light to the eye back through the gem. 
The carved citrine, topping the stickpin which is the attachment mechanism for the brooch, presents a monochromatic look, subtle, yet lively.  In contrast, the carved Mexican opal is bright and fiery, lighting up the “portrait collar”, focusing the eye.  Both gemstones are carved by Sherris Cottier Shank, an international award-winning lapidary artist.

18kt gold
 2 1/8” H x 2” W x 1 1/4”D
14.20 ct citrine
Gift of Elyse Zorn Karlin, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston 2007.569

9.92 ct Mexican fire opal
carved by Sherris Cottier Shank