Art + Design 
23 September 2014
Art + Design 
177

Pol Bury

ring

GEM
France / Italy, 1968
18 karat gold 1¼ h × 1 w × 1 d in (3 × 3 × 3 cm)
estimate: $5,000–7,000
result: $8,750
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Incised signature, date and number to interior: [Pol Bury 68 49/50]. Signed with impressed manufacturer's mark to band: [GEM 750]. This work is number 49 from the edition of 50. The rod elements of this ring move similarly to the kinetic sculptures that Bury is known for.
literature: Pol Bury, Dore, pg. 138 Pol Bury Bijoux, Galerie Maeght, unpaginated

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GEM

Artist-made Jewelry

In 1967 artist and designer, GianCarlo Montebello founded GEM, a goldsmith workshop dedicated to working with artists. Over the following decade, GEM produced limited edition jewelry designs by more than fifty artists including Lucio Fontana, Niki de Saint Phalle, Alex Katz, Ettore Sottsass and Gio Pomodoro, to name a few.

GEM’s production of artist-made jewels ended in 1978 when Montebello was the victim of theft and all of his work with artists was stolen. Despite its short-history and small editions, GEM’s works have been widely celebrated and exhibited around the world. 

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