Thomas Gentille (American, 1936-2026), Copper Circular Brooch

From the DeMarco Series, a circular brooch with a geometric cutout design and gold rivets, completed with a single locking pin stem, signed "T. GENTILLE / DEMARCO SERIES." 2 7/8 in. Born in Mansfield, Ohio, Gentille devoted more than six decades to redefining jewelry as a poetic and sculptural art form. He is widely regarded as one of the most important innovators in contemporary art jewelry. Since the 1950s, Gentille was at the forefront of experimentation with both traditional and unconventional materials, challenging accepted notions of value and meaning in jewelry. Working with materials such as wood, stone, pigments, egg tempera, pumice, and laminate, he created objects of remarkable precision, balance, and quiet intensity—transforming jewelry into compact yet profound aesthetic and conceptual statements. Gentille also played an important role as a teacher and mentor. He founded the jewelry program at the 92nd Street Y, in New York, which continues to this day. His widely read book, Step-by-Step Jewelry, published in 1968, introduced many artists to the field and inspired a new generation of makers. Gentille’s work was widely exhibited internationally. Most notably, he was the only American artist to receive a solo exhibition at Die Neue Sammlung – The Design Museum, Pinakothek der Moderne, in Munich.[1] He also exhibited at the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation, in Lisbon, and the Victoria and Albert Museum, in London. His work is documented in several publications, including the major catalog produced for the Munich exhibition. Biography courtesy of: Art Jewelry Forum (AJF) Good estate condition.

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