Golden Feather Vessel
Collection: Houston Airport System (HAS)
2012
copper, enamel, silver
Location:
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
2800 N Terminal Rd
Houston, TX 77032
About the Artwork:
Golden Feather Vessel (2012)
by Harlan Butt
Metalsmith and enamellist Harlan Butt, born in New Jersey in 1950, is based in Denton, TX where he was a professor at the University of North Texas from 1976-2017. He has artwork in the collections of: the Victoria & Albert Museum in London; the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra; the Shippo Art Museum in Ama-City, Japan; the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC; and more. Here is a vase made of copper, enamel, and silver that measures six-and-a-half inches high, six-and-a-half inches wide, and six-and-a-half inches deep. The body of the vase has a design that resembles feathers that the artist stated could be from “a golden phoenix.” Interestingly, Butt studied metalsmithing in Kyoto, Japan where Kinkaku-ji, or Temple of the Golden Pavilion, is located. The temple, originally built in 1397, is named for its gold-leaf-coated exterior and is topped with a phoenix ornament. Butt is known to fire his enamel works at around 1400 degrees Fahrenheit to create a smooth, glossy finish.
Vaso de Plumas Doradas (2012)
por Harlan Butt
Golden Feather Vessel (2012)
by Harlan Butt
Metalsmith and enamellist Harlan Butt, born in New Jersey in 1950, is based in Denton, TX where he was a professor at the University of North Texas from 1976-2017. He has artwork in the collections of: the Victoria & Albert Museum in London; the National Gallery of Australia in Canberra; the Shippo Art Museum in Ama-City, Japan; the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC; and more. Here is a vase made of copper, enamel, and silver that measures six-and-a-half inches high, six-and-a-half inches wide, and six-and-a-half inches deep. The body of the vase has a design that resembles feathers that the artist stated could be from “a golden phoenix.” Interestingly, Butt studied metalsmithing in Kyoto, Japan where Kinkaku-ji, or Temple of the Golden Pavilion, is located. The temple, originally built in 1397, is named for its gold-leaf-coated exterior and is topped with a phoenix ornament. Butt is known to fire his enamel works at around 1400 degrees Fahrenheit to create a smooth, glossy finish.
Vaso de Plumas Doradas (2012)
por Harlan Butt
El orfebre y esmaltador Harlan Butt, nacido en Nueva Jersey en 1950, reside en Denton, Texas donde fue profesor en la Universidad del Norte de Texas de 1976 a 2017. Sus obras forman parte de las colecciones del Museo Victoria & Albert de Londres; la Galería Nacional de Australia en Canberra; el Museo de Arte Shippo en Ama-City, Japón; el Instituto Smithsoniano en Washington, D. C.; y otras. Aquí se presenta un jarrón de cobre, esmalte, y plata que mide 16 cm de alto, 16 cm de ancho, y 16 cm de profundidad. El cuerpo del jarrón tiene un diseño que recuerda a las plumas y que, según el artista, podrían pertenecer a “un fénix dorado.” Curiosamente, Butt estudió orfebrería en Kioto, Japón, donde se encuentra el Kinkaku-ji, o Templo del Pabellón Dorado. El templo, construido originalmente en 1397, recibe su nombre por su exterior recubierto de pan de oro y está coronado con un fénix ornamental. Se sabe que Butt cuece sus obras de esmalte a unos 1400 grados Fahrenheit para crear un acabado liso y brillante.