Images(2)

From Nannie to Nellie

DateJuly 27, 1883 (dated)

Artist Andrew Clemens

OriginAmerica, Iowa, McGregor

MediumSand arranged in a glass bottle with a cork and glass stopper

DimensionsOH: 7 1/4"; Diameter (at base): 2"

Credit LineGift of Charles and Doris Flagg

Object number2012.910.1

DescriptionSand art bottle worked by Andrew Clemens in 1883. Sand, colored by mineral deposits in the Mississippi River, are arranged in an apothocary bottle to produce images. On one side the sand depicts an urn filled with flowers and the message, "From Nannie to Nellie." On the reverse is a bald eagle with an American flag and the date, "July 27, 1883." Both images are surrounded by colorful geometric designs.
Label TextBorn about 1855, Andrew Clemens grew up playing on the banks of the Mississippi River near his home in McGregor, Iowa. At a young age Clemens suffered from encephalitis, an infection that causes swelling in the brain which left him deaf. Following his illness Clemens was admitted to the State School for the Deaf and Dumb in Council Bluffs, Iowa; but it was during his summer vacations back in McGregor that his artistic talents thrived.

During those summer months, Clemens would collect sand on the banks of the Mississippi and carefully sort the granules into over 40 different colors. One of the best places to do this was in Pikes Peak State Park which is known, even today, for its sandstone caves that have been naturally dyed by iron deposits. After the colors were all sorted they were placed gingerly into small glass apothecary bottles and arranged with a fish hook or hickory stick to create geometric designs, still life pictures and patriotic symbols.

It is believed that during his lifetime Clemens produced hundreds of these works of art, however, because of their fragile nature few survive today. Between 1880 and 1886 Clemens sold his works at a local grocery store located just across the street from his father’s wagon shop in McGregor for about five to seven dollars a bottle. Many of the surviving examples, like the one on view, include a personalized message often with a date of an event on one side and patriotic or floral motifs on the reverse.