See more objects with the tag analogous color.

Object Timeline

1954

  • Work on this object began.

2000

  • We acquired this object.

2008

2015

2017

2018

2025

  • You found it!

Sample, Gemstones

This is a Sample. It was designed by Alexander Hayden Girard and produced by Herman Miller Textiles. It is dated 1954 and we acquired it in 2000. Its medium is 46% spun rayon, 24% metallic plastic, 26% cotton, 4% rayon and its technique is twill weave with supplementary weft patterning. It is a part of the Textiles department.

Girard’s exuberant use of color drew on his large collection of folk art. Of the type of color scheme represented here, he later quipped, “In those days a brilliant pink or magenta carried a connotation of a double-barreled horror.”

This object was donated by Alexander Hayden Girard. It is credited Gift of Alexander H. Girard.

Our curators have highlighted 2 objects that are related to this one.

Its dimensions are

Warp x Weft: 30 x 30 cm (11 13/16 x 11 13/16 in.)

It has the following markings

Herman Miller Fabrics paper label attached to lower right corner.

Cite this object as

Sample, Gemstones; Designed by Alexander Hayden Girard (American, 1907–1993); Produced by Herman Miller Furniture Company (United States); 46% spun rayon, 24% metallic plastic, 26% cotton, 4% rayon; Warp x Weft: 30 x 30 cm (11 13/16 x 11 13/16 in.); Gift of Alexander H. Girard; 1969-165-46

This object was previously on display as a part of the exhibition Saturated: The Allure and Science of Color.

There are restrictions for re-using this image. For more information, visit the Smithsonian’s Terms of Use page.

For higher resolution or commercial use contact ArtResource.

If you would like to cite this object in a Wikipedia article please use the following template:

<ref name=CH>{{cite web |url=https://www-4.collection.cooperhewitt.org/objects/18677763/ |title=Sample, Gemstones |author=Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum |accessdate=11 February 2025 |publisher=Smithsonian Institution}}</ref>