CLETO MUNARI 1980 Memphis Spirals Ear-Drops In 18Kt Gold With Lapis Lazuli
An Italian Memphys earrings designed by Cleto Munari.
This is a fabulous pair of sculptural dangle earrings created in Padova Italy by Cleto Munari, back in the 1980's. The unusual Paduan school earrings have been crafted as a left and right pair in solid yellow gold of 18 karats with high polished finish. The earrings design is very aerodynamic, made up with solid planchettes with spirals and spherical terminals, which are set with two carved lapis lazuli gems.
The Memphis Style
Was emerged in 1981, when the Italian designer and architect Ettore Sottsass founded a group of artists and designers called Memphis. Bob Dylan’s song 'Stuck Inside of Mobile with the Memphis Blues Again' was playing on repeat during the group’s first meeting, which led to the group being named 'Memphis'. After the inaugural meeting, the group decided that they would meet again in February 1981. The members brought over 100 drawings with them, picturing a variety of bold, colorful designs with multiple stylistic influences. The Memphis Group went on to create furniture, fabrics, patterns, ceramics and other products in a distinctly Postmodern style that blended stylistic traits of 1950s kitsch, Art Deco, and Pop Art. If you love unashamedly brash and bold colors and patterns, you’ll be very happy to hear that the Memphis Style, the design style pioneered by the 1980s Memphis Group, is very much back in vogue.
Country: Padova, Italy.
Period: Modernism 1980.
Style: Memphis.
Lapis Lazuli: Mounted in bezel settings, with 2 round cabochon cuts of 20 mm carved from natural blue lapis lazuli, with a total estimate weight of about 30 carats.
Birthstone: Lapis lazuli for the month of September.
Weight: 19.5 Grams, (12.5 Dwt).
Measurements: 24 mm by 75 mm (0.95 x 2.96 Inches).
Hallmarks: Stamped with Italian control marks; the maker's mark, the mark for the assay of the 18kt yellow gold and signed as follow, "MUNARI .750 *250PD".
Cleto Munari
He is an Italian architect and in 1985 set up a workshop-studio for the manufacture of unique objects in collaboration with some of the greatest architects, designers, artists, and writers in the world, among them Mario Botta, Alessandro Mendini, Alvaro Siza Vieira, Mimmo Paladino, Sandro Chia, and Dario Fo. Munari has devoted a major part of his enterprise to producing glassware in Murano, assisted by some of the master glassblowers of the venetian lagoon region. His creations can be found in the permanent collections of major museums across five continents, including in New York, The Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of Modern Art.
Literature: Melissa Gabardi, Italian Jewelry in the 20th Century, Silvana 2016 Milano. Pages 281-285 for examples of this jewelry art movement, in Italy. Mirella Cisotto and Anna Maria Spiazzi, Gioielli d'Autore. Padova e la Scuola dell'Oro. Umberto Allemandi. Torino
Collateral: These Cleto Munari earrings are accompanied by a presentation jewelry box.
Condition: The overall condition of these Cleto Munari earrings is excellent. Besides the little normal wear, there is no damage to the gold. Both lapis lazuli is secured in their settings. This bracelet has been carefully inspected to guarantee the condition and authenticity.
INVENTORY REF: E051125AOEM/.4687
