Coin de chasteté [Wedge of Chastity]
About this artwork
The original version of Wedge of Chastity was made in 1954, from plaster and dental plastic, so that the work looks like a tooth set in gum. Eight bronze casts were made in 1963; this cast was made especially for Duchamp. The piece has erotic connotations, as there are 'male' and 'female' parts which fit snugly together. Duchamp originally made the piece as a gift for his wife Teeny. He later explained: 'It was my wedding present to her... We usually take it with us, like a wedding ring.'
Updated before 2020
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artist:
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title:Coin de chasteté [Wedge of Chastity]
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date created:1954/63
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materials:Bronze and dental plastic
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measurements:5.50 x 8.50 x 4.20 cm
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object type:
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credit line:Bequeathed by Gabrielle Keiller 1995
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accession number:GMA 3968
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glossary:
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artwork photographed by:Antonia Reeve
Marcel Duchamp
Marcel Duchamp
Duchamp was born in France, but lived for much of his adult life in America. In 1911 he was painting in a cubist style, but he virtually stopped painting after 1912. Duchamp was intrigued by the idea that ordinary, mass-produced things could be considered as art objects in their own right. He...