Recalling some early-mid-century modernist one-of-a-kind unsigned silver jewelry featuring delicate kinetic parts, tiny forged balls, and thin wire work by American metal-artisan Harry Bertoia, this aged silver unsigned spiraled wire open ring with essentially 3 bands is structured with 3 silver beads forged on both ends and in the center that are notably misaligned. The additional 5 among the 8 balls are kinetic for sliding, but only from one end to the fixed central ball. The subtle asymmetrical design encourages the wearer to think about the single ball--that is identical to the others--that will always remain isolated, unlike mindlessly toying with a traditional "fidget" ring or bracelet.
For insight, view the early silver rings and wire brooches by the artist found in the online catalogue-raisonne assembled by the Harry Bertoia Foundation, which may authenticate his unsigned jewelry for a fee that was prohibitive to us while we offer it for sale. Do not overlook his circa-1940 mens-size aluminum 3-sectioned open ring topped with 3 rows of 5 adjacent small matching geometric shapes, nor his circa-1943 spiraled-wire hatpin with 3 white beads, which share significant aesthetics with our inch-diameter ring including the numeric 1-3-5-8 elements. Unlike the ring that we found, those unsigned Bertoia pieces have documented provenance.
Comparatively, another 1stDibs dealer is currently offering an unauthenticated early-Bertoia-style silver wire pendant...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Modernist Berkshires - Rings
