Grave Wreath
Artifact IDMO 89.78.1-.26
Object Type
Sculpture, Funerary
Date
1969
Maker
Louis Feron
(Sculptor and Goldsmith, b. France, 1901-1998)
Designer
Jean Schlumberger
(Jeweler for Tiffany & Co., French, 1907-1987)
Manufacturer
Modern Art Foundry
(Founded 1932)
Place MadeAstoria, New York, United States
Medium
Metal (bronze, silver, tin)
DimensionsOverall Diam 8 ft (243.8 cm )
Physical DescriptionMetal sculpture consisting of multiple pieces that when assembled form a large wreath. Individual pieces in varying twisted branch and vine shapes, rope-like forms, and casts of military hats, created using different metals and different chemical patinas. 25 cast pieces consisting of 16 branches, 5 military hats, 2 braid bands, an MP band, and a center small wreath.
Historical NoteThis wreath sculpture was designed by Tiffany jeweler Jean Schlumberger and sculpted by goldsmith Louis Feron at his New Hampshire studio. Schlumberger's representative first approached Feron about the wreath in 1967, which was conceived as a sculptural element to surround the Eternal Flame at the new gravesite of President John F. Kennedy in Arlington National Cemetery completed earlier that year. Comprised of 25 separate elements, correspondence from Jacqueline Kennedy suggests that the idea for the wreath was inspired by the military hats spontaneously left at the original gravesite immediately after JFK's burial on November 25, 1963 (JBKO to Jean Schlumberger, Aug. 3, 1968, Bunny Mellon Papers, Oak Spring Garden Foundation).
Feron wrote to the U.S. Army's general counsel on June 6, 1967 that the wreath would cost $50,000. A response from General Counsel Alfred Fitt cited "several major unsettled questions about the design to be used" and instructed Feron not to proceed. In October 1968 Fitt wrote Feron that Jacqueline Kennedy had asked that the project be revived. Fitt requested a new proposal and outlined the terms as he understood them: Feron would be commissioned by the U.S. Army; the contract would be administered by the Army Corps of Engineers; but approval of the design and sculpture "as executed" must come from Mrs. Kennedy through her agent Bunny Mellon. Other correspondence shows Feron had already moved ahead with the maquette for the sculpture in August 1968 with no Army contract in place. Late in December Feron received a payment of $25,000 from Joseph P. Kennedy Sr.'s office. (Louis Feron Papers, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston)
Modern Art Foundry in New York completed the bronze casting early in 1969. Ultimately, however, the sculpture was never installed. In 1977, Feron, through the Kennedy family, offered it to the National Archives and Records Administration. Despite questions about where the wreath might be used in the as-yet-built John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, it was shipped to the NARA's regional facility in Waltham in April 1977 and transferred to the Library in 1979.
Additional DetailsFeron wrote to the U.S. Army's general counsel on June 6, 1967 that the wreath would cost $50,000. A response from General Counsel Alfred Fitt cited "several major unsettled questions about the design to be used" and instructed Feron not to proceed. In October 1968 Fitt wrote Feron that Jacqueline Kennedy had asked that the project be revived. Fitt requested a new proposal and outlined the terms as he understood them: Feron would be commissioned by the U.S. Army; the contract would be administered by the Army Corps of Engineers; but approval of the design and sculpture "as executed" must come from Mrs. Kennedy through her agent Bunny Mellon. Other correspondence shows Feron had already moved ahead with the maquette for the sculpture in August 1968 with no Army contract in place. Late in December Feron received a payment of $25,000 from Joseph P. Kennedy Sr.'s office. (Louis Feron Papers, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston)
Modern Art Foundry in New York completed the bronze casting early in 1969. Ultimately, however, the sculpture was never installed. In 1977, Feron, through the Kennedy family, offered it to the National Archives and Records Administration. Despite questions about where the wreath might be used in the as-yet-built John F. Kennedy Presidential Library, it was shipped to the NARA's regional facility in Waltham in April 1977 and transferred to the Library in 1979.
Custodial History NoteThe artist, Louis Feron, donated the wreath to the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library in 1977. It was received by the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) storage facility in Waltham, MA in 1977 until it was shipped to the new JFK Library's building on Columbia Point in 1979. The wreath was accessioned into the Museum Collection in 1979 and is part of the NARA government collection. Prior to the donation in 1977, the wreath was held by Rachael Lambert Melon and assembled at her home, Oak Spring Farms, in Virginia.
Credit LineJohn F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum, Boston, MA; commissioned Gift of Louis Feron
National Archives Catalog CollectionJohn F. Kennedy Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 1676934)
National Archives Catalog SeriesJohn F. Kennedy Memorial Collection (National Archives Identifier 1677008)
Use Restriction Status(not assigned)In Collection(s)
Not on view