Idols of a Generation, Illusions to Prophecy
Copper construction with painted or nickel-plated finish. Sterling silver trim and doors with 14k. yellow gold detail and clasp. Black plastic handle.
8" height x 6.5" width open x 4.5" depth closed
Available for purchase or exhibition.
This domestic iron is a sculpture that looks like a real domestic iron. It is a tour-de-force of silversmith construction as a commentary about the value placed on consumer goods, and diminished value of the hand-made.
The thorn in the handle refers to how women sacrifice so much of themselves in marriage, fulfilling domestic roles and child rearing. It is a painful irony that the domestic role of raising children is so undervalued in our society. This parallels the poor pay for teachers and disciplines that involve child rearing.
The plastic handle was modified from a "Never Lift Iron" from the 1930's.
As you can see in the image above and below, the sterling silver doors with 14k gold details open to reveal the iconic imagery inside the iron.
Inside the iron is a sterling silver chased-repoussé icon based on the style of Russian Orthodox religious icons. This aligns perfectly with a decoupage magazine advertisement over wood (shown below.)
The images in the icon were based on a 1960's ad for Ivory dishwashing detergent (right) from women's magazines of the 1960's.
The mother, daughter, and grandmother place their "ageless" hands in front of the plates. The plates are like halos from Russian orthodox religious icons. This parallels the false promises from advertising.
This also refers to the fact that the fabrication of these beautiful appliances makes my hands look so ugly.
© Harriete Estel Berman, 1983, 2021