Frances Holmes Boothby Kinetic Pendant

Frances Holmes Boothby articulated kinetic pendant, c.1950s
Sterling silver with Dumortierite | Signed "fhb STERLING" | 45 x 34 mm

A rare modernist pendant by Frances Holmes Boothby, a distinguished figure in the American studio jewelry movement. Crafted circa 1950s, this piece reflects Boothby’s signature balance of minimalist form, fine craftsmanship, and conceptual depth.

The design centers on a bezel-set Dumortierite stone, suspended within a hand-fabricated sterling silver frame. The inner stone element is articulated and kinetically mounted, allowing it to pivot gently within the outer structure. The subtle movement lends the piece a quiet energy, characteristic of mid-century kinetic design.

Boothby, a graduate of Iowa State College and long-time instructor at the Birchkill Arts and Crafts Guild (Hart Cluett Museum), exhibited at the Walker Art Center in 1948 and 1955. Her kinetic works are scarce, deeply collectible, and increasingly recognized for their contribution to modernist design.

Signed “fhb STERLING” on the reverse. 45 x 34 mm. Offered in excellent estate condition. A significant example of mid-20th-century American studio jewelry.

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