South African Goldsmiths Research Project

This blog is dedicated to research with the aim of gathering and disseminating information on 20th Century manufacturing goldsmiths in South Africa.

Tuesday, 20 June 2017

Felix Vetter mid 20th Century examples (follow up from 2014 posting)

A ring and a brooch made by Felix Vetter There is a classic sumptuousness about these pieces that is unique to the work of Felix V...

Thursday, 9 February 2017

Mid-twentieth century jewellery making in South Africa

Twentieth century contextual issues that contributed to the beneficiation of precious metals in South Africa. Fred van Staden ...

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About Me

Fred: My fascination with the creative joy behind precious metal artistry has made me want to know more about South African precious metal artists and their creations. I know there are others too who share in this quest to record our gold- and silversmiths' pursuit of beauty and wonder - an appreciation of the interplay amongst design, texture, colour, reflection of light. During a school holiday in 1969, I learned how to cut and polish semi-precious stones by hand. This lead to a life long fascination with the design of jewellery. At collectors' markets I noticed the makers' marks of local jewelelry but found very little documented information. I began spending time in the National archives and interviewing retired goldsmiths Through their eyes, I began to record and compile as much as I can about their legacies. A childhood hobby has evolved into agreater appreciation of local precious metal artistry.

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