Great Seal of the United States Rendition [Plaster]
Dublin Core
Title
Great Seal of the United States Rendition [Plaster]
Subject
Animal sculpture--20th century
Description
RENDITION OF THE GREAT SEAL OF THE UNITED STATES, 1960
Plaster original
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Marshall M. Fredericks
1991.109
The style of this relief differs from the other works in the Museum. It is very detailed because the Seal of the United States is a standard design. It was established in 1782 to symbolize sovereignty. The American eagle, with an escutcheon, or shield, on its breast, symbolizes self-reliance. The thirteen vertical stripes on the escutcheon came from the flag of 1777. The eagle grasps an olive branch with 13 leaves and 13 olives in its right talon and 13 arrows in its left. (13 represent the number of US states in 1777.) It prefers to live in peace but can wage war. In its beak is a scroll. It is not inscribed here but it is usually inscribed "E pluribus unum", or "One out of many". Above its head is the 13-star "new constellation" of the 1777 flag, enclosed in a glory, or golden radiance, breaking through a cloud.
The relief was cast in aluminum and is located at the American Embassy in London, England.
Plaster original
Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Marshall M. Fredericks
1991.109
The style of this relief differs from the other works in the Museum. It is very detailed because the Seal of the United States is a standard design. It was established in 1782 to symbolize sovereignty. The American eagle, with an escutcheon, or shield, on its breast, symbolizes self-reliance. The thirteen vertical stripes on the escutcheon came from the flag of 1777. The eagle grasps an olive branch with 13 leaves and 13 olives in its right talon and 13 arrows in its left. (13 represent the number of US states in 1777.) It prefers to live in peace but can wage war. In its beak is a scroll. It is not inscribed here but it is usually inscribed "E pluribus unum", or "One out of many". Above its head is the 13-star "new constellation" of the 1777 flag, enclosed in a glory, or golden radiance, breaking through a cloud.
The relief was cast in aluminum and is located at the American Embassy in London, England.
Creator
Fredericks, Marshall M., 1908-1998
Date
1960
Rights
Use of this image requires permission from the Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum
Type
Sculpture
Coverage
University Center (Mich.)
Sculpture Item Type Metadata
Physical Dimensions
71.5" dia
Materials
Plaster
Catalog Number
1991.109
Object Location
Main Exhibit Gallery
Provenance
1989 March, 22 Gift to Museum and SVSU Board of Control
Notes
From Jennifer Lentz:
"Molly told me that Eero Saarinen and Associates were the architects on the U.S. Embassy in London where an aluminum cast is located. It was cast by the Flour City Ornamental Iron Company in Minneapolis, Minnesota. "
From Michale Panhorst:
"There is a Great Seal on the United States at Seaholm High School in Birmingham [MI} from 1946. It is a rectangular shaped marble memorial with a bronze or aluminum eagle. This is not the same sculptural form as our Great Seal."
"Molly told me that Eero Saarinen and Associates were the architects on the U.S. Embassy in London where an aluminum cast is located. It was cast by the Flour City Ornamental Iron Company in Minneapolis, Minnesota. "
From Michale Panhorst:
"There is a Great Seal on the United States at Seaholm High School in Birmingham [MI} from 1946. It is a rectangular shaped marble memorial with a bronze or aluminum eagle. This is not the same sculptural form as our Great Seal."
Files
Citation
Fredericks, Marshall M., 1908-1998, “Great Seal of the United States Rendition [Plaster],” Marshall M. Fredericks Sculpture Museum, accessed April 23, 2024, https://omeka.svsu.edu/items/show/5151.