RMA Mark on Pin

Hello All, Hope everyone is staying safe!

I have this pin/brooch 2 1/2" tall and 1" wide that is marked RMA. In search for its origin, I have seen it listed as coming from the Rubin Museum of Art (with overly ambitious prices). However, the Rubin specializes in Himalayan Art and this piece to my eye is clearly Egyptian themed. I have tried to find another Museum of Art that would have RMA as its mark but no luck. Anyone have any ideas as to what museum gift shop might have sold this? Thanks for taking a look. Liz

 

The Rubin specializes in but is not absolutely restricted to Himalayan art. Their bigger theme seems to be art with a spiritual component & they have many special exhibitions. I do not recognize this elf-eared figure as Egyptian; I do not know that she is not Asian. Maybe @Any Jewelry knows her?

 

Interestingly, both of these pieces are also marked RMA and are credited by sellers to the Rubin. Agree with you though. Unlikely they would have been sold in a museum shop with this mission:

"The finest artisanal goods from the Himalayas and across Asia—many unavailable elsewhere in the United States—can be found at the Rubin’s shop."

 

Bronwen: The ones like the one I show are being advertised as Cleopatra but I don't think that's who she is. I hadn't noticed the elf ears but I am sure she is not from the Himalayas.

Debora: I agree.

I'm stumped.

 

Before reading your description, my first thought was MMA Metropolitan Museum of Art. They have really nice 18K plated jewelry finished to look much like your quality.
As I read and see you stated it is RMA - I was not familiar with the Rubin Museum.
In looking it up, although is specializes in Himalayan art, it also "serves as a venue for national and international traveling exhibitions".

So this could have been made to commemorate a special exhibit that came through.

Since the Met has access to a company that makes jewelry specifically for their museum shop, I would not be surprised to find that other large well endowed museums have access to the same company.

 

I thought it might be from an temporary exhibition but I didn't want to attribute it to the wrong museum. It's possible that it came through the Rubin. I appreciate everyone's opinions. I know you can't always trust attributions given for on-line sales so I do my best to verify.

 

To my eye, it looks very-well made. Nice piece. I would think it is the Rubin Museum and agree with the traveling exhibit idea. Our Philadelphia Museum of Art does the same thing when exhibits come in, but they do not have their own hallmark.

 

She's Egyptian: look at the wig, the pose and the plinth. I suspect one of the figures from the Akhenaten period, when art there was far more representational and truthfulness was encouraged.

 

I’m with you and can’t see her as anything but Egyptian and probably 18th dynasty.

 

Oh, but... There a quite a few RMA pieces on the internet and they're all from different cultures/periods. I can't image the Rubin stepping so far outside of its area of expertise. Still, one could also contact the museum and ask.

Debora

 

Second one is Hatshepsut, and this brooch reminds me of wall paintings at her palace, ears and all that.

 

Thank you everyone for your input. I appreciate it very much. Hetshepsut did cross my mind but I always think of her with false pharaoh beard. I think I will list her without a specific name and hope Egyptian lovers will find her. It's not like I will be asking $200 for her like some of the other listings. I think I will contact the Rubin to see if she was sold there as suggested. She is really pretty and seems to be of some quality. If I hear back from the Rubin I will update. Thanks so much again.