Millicent Rogers
American, (1902–1953)
Millicent Rogers grew up in New York in the early 1900s, and is probably best known as a socialite, fashion icon, and artist. She was often referred to in the press as the “Standard Oil Heiress,” since it was her grandfather, H.H. Rogers, who co-founded Standard Oil Trust with John D. Rockefeller. Rogers was distinctive for her beauty and style, making her very popular with photographers, clothing designers, and fashion magazines. She was regularly featured on the international covers of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. She was a spirited socialite, an American beauty, a compassionate individual, a philanthropist, a talented costume and jewelry designer, a passionate art collector, a tireless humanitarian and an advocate for Native American culture. At only 21, Rogers married European nobility. She divorced and remarried twice more. She lived in Austria, France, and Italy—and travelled extensively between them all, with 35 suitcases and seven dachshunds. She also spoke six languages, teaching herself Greek and Latin.
In 1939, due of the escalation of World War II, Rogers and her children returned to America. On this trip, each of her three sons was responsible for carrying (and guarding) their own teddy bear—the bears were all stuffed with cash and jewelry. Back in the US, the family settled near Washington, DC, where Rogers used her mansion as a rehabilitation center for recovering soldiers. Rogers founded the Medical and Surgical Relief Committee to provide field hospitals with much needed medical supplies. Due to her financial position, she was able to smuggle a number of Jewish friends out of Austria, and mingled with spies during the war effort. Rogers met movie legend Clark Gable (who most notably played Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind) through a mutual friend and the two became romantically involved. Shortly thereafter, she moved to Hollywood. Even though Hollywood was the post-war capital of the American Dream, Rogers would not stay long. She would be crushed by Gable’s infidelity; finding him in an intimate relationship with a young starlet. In an effort to heal her broken heart, Rogers moved to Taos, New Mexico in 1947. There, she fell in love with the mountains and the area’s natural wonders, as well as the pueblos. She immersed herself in local culture, and was inspired by traditional Native American crafts—including the pottery, baskets, textiles, and silver jewelry that she bought in abundance. Rogers created an entirely new fashion by layering weighty necklaces and cuff bracelets, which according to family lore helped control a tremor that was the result of childhood rheumatic fever. Drawing inspiration from native American symbols, Rogers designed her own jewelry, sketching ideas for bold, modern, and sometimes abstract pieces on yellow legal pads. In the beginning, she presented the sketches to jewelers to make the finished product. Later, she learned the art of metalwork and began making her own jewelry. The double cross pendant in the OJAC’s collection is a fine example of her work. Rogers spent the last seven years of her life in Taos, where she found peace preserving, protecting and promoting the rich history of Native American culture. Although Rogers died at the young age of 50, she lived a full, colorful and active life. At her request, Rogers was buried in simplicity—wearing an Indian blouse, skirt and moccasins and wrapped in a Navajo blanket.
American, (1902–1953)
Millicent Rogers grew up in New York in the early 1900s, and is probably best known as a socialite, fashion icon, and artist. She was often referred to in the press as the “Standard Oil Heiress,” since it was her grandfather, H.H. Rogers, who co-founded Standard Oil Trust with John D. Rockefeller. Rogers was distinctive for her beauty and style, making her very popular with photographers, clothing designers, and fashion magazines. She was regularly featured on the international covers of Vogue and Harper’s Bazaar. She was a spirited socialite, an American beauty, a compassionate individual, a philanthropist, a talented costume and jewelry designer, a passionate art collector, a tireless humanitarian and an advocate for Native American culture. At only 21, Rogers married European nobility. She divorced and remarried twice more. She lived in Austria, France, and Italy—and travelled extensively between them all, with 35 suitcases and seven dachshunds. She also spoke six languages, teaching herself Greek and Latin.
In 1939, due of the escalation of World War II, Rogers and her children returned to America. On this trip, each of her three sons was responsible for carrying (and guarding) their own teddy bear—the bears were all stuffed with cash and jewelry. Back in the US, the family settled near Washington, DC, where Rogers used her mansion as a rehabilitation center for recovering soldiers. Rogers founded the Medical and Surgical Relief Committee to provide field hospitals with much needed medical supplies. Due to her financial position, she was able to smuggle a number of Jewish friends out of Austria, and mingled with spies during the war effort. Rogers met movie legend Clark Gable (who most notably played Rhett Butler in Gone with the Wind) through a mutual friend and the two became romantically involved. Shortly thereafter, she moved to Hollywood. Even though Hollywood was the post-war capital of the American Dream, Rogers would not stay long. She would be crushed by Gable’s infidelity; finding him in an intimate relationship with a young starlet. In an effort to heal her broken heart, Rogers moved to Taos, New Mexico in 1947. There, she fell in love with the mountains and the area’s natural wonders, as well as the pueblos. She immersed herself in local culture, and was inspired by traditional Native American crafts—including the pottery, baskets, textiles, and silver jewelry that she bought in abundance. Rogers created an entirely new fashion by layering weighty necklaces and cuff bracelets, which according to family lore helped control a tremor that was the result of childhood rheumatic fever. Drawing inspiration from native American symbols, Rogers designed her own jewelry, sketching ideas for bold, modern, and sometimes abstract pieces on yellow legal pads. In the beginning, she presented the sketches to jewelers to make the finished product. Later, she learned the art of metalwork and began making her own jewelry. The double cross pendant in the OJAC’s collection is a fine example of her work. Rogers spent the last seven years of her life in Taos, where she found peace preserving, protecting and promoting the rich history of Native American culture. Although Rogers died at the young age of 50, she lived a full, colorful and active life. At her request, Rogers was buried in simplicity—wearing an Indian blouse, skirt and moccasins and wrapped in a Navajo blanket.
Artist Objects
Double Cross Pendant BC.1992.120
Artist Images