Graziella Laffi Articulated Fish Sculpture

Large scale modern sculpture, purchased from the David Heath Gallery, Atlanta, Georgia, circa 1960s. We have been unable to identify the artist who made th...

Mid-Century Modernist Bronze and Teak Sculpture by Russell Secrest, American, circa 1970s. Russell Secrest (1935-2010) is known for both his sculptures and modernist jewelry designs....

Abstract Mid Century Modern Marble Sculpture, in the manner of Jean Arp, unsigned, probably American, circa 1950s.

Yona Friedman Iconostases Series Wire Sculpture, French, circa 2015.

A bespoken sterling silver chocker necklace very bold design by Graziella Laffi (1923-2009), Lima, Peru, circa 1970s. The chocker features six subtly hammered roundels radiating into a trio of Axe-shaped fixed pendants, with two smaller ones flanking a large central one. The shape of the axe was often found in the Pre-Columbian art. As a bronze age tool, it symbolizes power. The necklace is not chain link but cast and joined as a solid chocker with box clasp mechanism. The design radiates a sense of history with the primitive tribal geometry in form, yet the necklace appears beyond ethnic, it exuberates a confident and bold modernistic aesthetic. The drop of the necklace on the mannequin (not included) is 11". It has an approximate 16" circumference and weighs 320 grams (10.3 troy ounces). It was tested as 900 purity with XRF analyzer. There is a Peruvian Cultural Ministry label applied and a catalog sticker on verso as shown. Graziella Laffi was born in 1923 in Florence, Italy to Gino Laffi, a silversmith and artist. Following her family tradition, Graziella enrolled in master classes after elementary school, focusing on design and painting. She next attended Escuela de Bellas Artes de Puerta Romana for three years, where Gino taught, and then to the Accademia di Belle Arti di Firenze, where she concentrated in architecture until the start of World War II. In 1947, Graziella, then twenty-four, immigrated with her parents to Peru. Gino later created a silversmith studio and showroom called Fabrica Laffi on Avenue Mexico, where Graziella initially learned her Craft. The Pre-Columbian culture in her adopted country inspired Graziella to travel and collect, which ultimately influence her design in the silver pieces. Graziella learned the metalworking techniques of the ancient Peruvian civilizations and rejected the current technology. She mostly used hammering, rolling and creating joints as the ancients do. As an ambassador of Peruvian culture, her work promoted the indigenous Peruvian art and rekindled the interest in its ancient heritage throughout South America, the United States and Europe. She exhibited her growing collection of Peruvian artifacts...

A striking sterling silver jewelry suite of bold design by Graziella Laffi (1923-2009), Lima, Peru, circa 1970s. The set consists of a highly sculptural necklace with a large pendant...

A bespoken sterling silver jewelry suite with bold design by Graziella Laffi (1923-2009), Lima, Peru, circa 1970s. The set consists of a choker style necklace showcasing six large ge...

A sterling silver jewelry suite with bold geometrical design by Graziella Laffi (1923-2009), Lima, Peru, circa 1970s. The set consists of a chain-linked necklace showcasing four holl...