Nymphaea (Water lilies) Rattle

Artist Robyn Nichols (American, born 1955)

Dateca. 2008

MediumSterling silver with steel shot

DimensionsOverall: 5 × 6 × 5 inches (12.7 × 15.24 × 12.7 cm)

Credit LinePurchase: acquired through the generosity of Sandy and Randy Rolf in honor of Robyn Nichols and the 75th anniversary of The Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art

Object number2009.60

On View

Not on view

Collections

Architecture, Design and Decorative Arts

Terms

DescriptionMade of sterling silver, the Rattle is composed of two water lily leaves joined front-to-back with a twisting wire that acts as both a stand and a handle. The water lily leaf on the back is smaller than the front leaf. A maker's mark is impressed on the underside of the stem of the smaller leaf: © Robyn Nichols (in script) and another stamp STERLING (all caps). The interior space created by the leaves, which are engraved and pierced to suggest the aging of the leaves, encloses several pieces of steel shots that make a ringing or clattering sound when the piece is moved.Gallery Label

Gallery Label

Robyn Nichols is well-known for her intricate representations of nature made in precious materials. In Nymphaea Rattle, Nichols has recreated two water lily pads in silver. Between the two leaves are several pieces of steel shot, which create metallic sounds when the rattle is shaken. This element gives the work a unique sensory dimension. Candelabrum presents an intertwined arrangement of lupine and lady slippers to form a single candle holder. Nichols is a self-taught metalsmith, although she graduated from the Kansas City Art Institute Design department.

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