Sterling Silver Necklace with Large Pendant Graziella Laffi

A highly sculptural sterling silver jewelry suite consisting of a necklace with bird pendent and a matching pair of earrings. The three-piece set was crafted by Peruvian silversmith ...

A highly sculptural sterling silver jewelry suite consisting of a necklace with bird motif and a matching pair of earrings. The three-piece set was crafted by Peruvian silversmith an...

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 wide leather belt with large sterling silver buckle crafted by Graziella Laffi (1923-2009), Lima, Peru, circa 1960-70s. The bespoken sculptural silver buckle features a biomorphic motif rooted in pre-Columbian culture. Marked: PERU, 950. The buck measures 5.75 x 5 x 2 inches and weighs about 126 grams (4.0511 troy ounces). The detachable belt consists of two parts is adjustable from approximately 33 inches to 36 inches. 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...

This stunning sculptural sterling silver fish-shaped bowl was designed by the renowned artist Graziella Laffi in Lima, Peru, circa 1965. The piece, marked on the rim with "G. Laffi, ...

English hand bag featuring a large decorative sterling silver clasp with a religious scenic along the clasp. Hallmarks indicate this purse was...

Large, Edwardian, sterling silver mounted, threaded crystal match striker, American, circa 1910. Measures: 3 1/2" high x 4" diameter. Unusually wide sterling silver mount. Very minor...

Large, Edwardian, sterling silver match - mounted, threaded crystal match striker, having a full, sterling silver match cup, Birmingham, England, 1917, J. Grinsell & Sons makers. Mea...