Large Silver Centerpiece Historicism Flower Bowl With Glass Liner, Germany, 1895

Elegant silver jardinière in strict architectural Art Nouveau style, square base with curved long sides, on four flared, smooth feet, geometric and curved openwork elements on all si...

Festive solid silver vessel in the shape of a large oval footed bowl, divided and segmented by vertical folds, the base set off by a constriction, projecting, wavy, lobed cut-out foo...

This dramatic vase is sure to make people take a second look! It has motifs around the base; three men can be seen sitting around talking and drinking while a fourth man stands in the background. A large scalloped ruby-red colored glass liner...

A stunning sterling silver vessel in the form of a stemmed bowl crafted by Graziella Laffi (1923-2009), Lima, Peru, Circa 1965. Marked on the rim: G. Laffi, PERU. The vessel was designed as a modern rendition of ancient pre-Columbina drinking vessel used in ceremony. The piece projects a regal and substantial aura due to its thick double wall construction with seamless craftmanship. The exterior surface was decorated with high relief roundels protrusion alternated with a radiating design that resembles star fish or a blooming flower. It has an impressive presence with its unique form and ornamentation that appears both modern and ancient at the same time. 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...