john prip american metalsmith - wright20.com · john prip: american metalsmith celebrates the life...
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john pripamerican
metalsmithauction 16 march 2017
john pripamerican
metalsmithauction 16 march 2017
wright 1440 W Hubbard St Chicago IL 60642 312 563 0020
980 Madison Ave New York NY 10075 212 585 0200 wright20.com
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John Prip: American Metalsmith celebrates the life and work of one of the country’s most innovative artists in metal. Ranging from well-known designs for Reed & Barton to one-of-a-kind functional and decorative objects, the works in this sale exhibit technical precision, bold innovation and a mastery of material. In his expert hands, non-ferrous metals such as silver, gold, copper, brass, pewter and nickel were given artistic expression. No metal was favored over another; Prip believed that an object’s value was in the strength of the idea. His in-depth of knowledge of process allowed him to move effortlessly from the technical challenges of making a coffee pot or flatware design to works more exploratory in nature but not necessarily as technically constrained. Prip’s contributions to his field extended beyond the richly imaginative designs featured on these pages. He dedicated himself to teaching generations of silversmiths his beloved art form and often said that the experience of teaching nourished and informed him as an artist.
Prip was from a family of silversmiths; they owned and operated a silver factory in Denmark that produced wide range of precious metal product from jewelry to flatware and holloware. At fifteen, his parents arranged a five year apprenticeship for him in the highly-regarded shop of Evald Nielsen in Denmark where he excelled in his mastery of material and design. When he completed his apprenticeship Prip worked briefly for his father but continued to look for work that allowed him greater creative freedom.
In 1948 Prip accepted a job as a teacher at the School for the American Craftsman (now known as the School for American Crafts) in Alfred, New York. The newly formed program was dedicated to training highly skilled craftspeople. During this same period, Prip and fellow metalsmith Ronald Pearson, woodworker Tage Frid, and Bauhaus ceramist Frans Wildenhain founded the gallery, Shop One. Operated by artists, Shop One was an influential venue for selling artist made works.
Always looking for opportunities, Prip accepted a position as Artist Craftsman in Residence with Reed & Barton in 1957 where he designed several popular works in silver, some of which are still in production today. After three years with the firm, Prip returned to teaching first at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts Boston and later at the Rhode Island School of Design in Providence until his retirement in 1981.
Throughout his career, Prip was endlessly creating works and pushing the limits of his medium. A genius of his craft, Prip moved seamlessly between re-defining objects for everyday use and crafting imaginative forms. He was an inspirational teacher and exceptional craftsman, and he left behind an extraordinary legacy of innovative metalsmithing.
John Prip Artistry in Metal
For complete lot listing visit wright20.com
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Lark serving piece studies, set of sixc. 1959sterling silver3,000 – 5,000
prototype cigarette boxc. 1957silver-plated pewter3,000 – 5,000
prototype cigarette boxc. 1957silver-plated pewter3,000 – 5,000
prototype Diamond salt and pepper shakersc. 1955sterling silver5,000 – 7,000
16 m
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Untitled (Axe Form)c. 1965cast bronze2,000 – 3,000
monumental lidded boxc. 1970pewter7,000 – 9,000
Overlap spoon studies, set of threec. 1976sterling silver, brass1,500 – 2,000
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tea strainerc. 1950sterling silver3,000 – 5,000
tea strainerc. 1950sterling silver, ebony5,000 – 7,000
Dimension spoon studies, set of elevenc. 1959pewter3,000 – 5,000
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Experimental teapotc. 1975sterling silver15,000 – 20,000
Interlinking Forms braceletc. 1960sterling silver3,000 – 5,000
Interlinking Forms braceletc. 1960sterling silver3,000 – 5,000
Crab broochc. 1950sterling silver, brass3,000 – 5,000
broochc. 1958pewter3,000 – 5,000
16 m
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chargerc. 1968copper-brass wire with silver solder3,000 – 5,000
chargerc. 1968copper-brass wire with silver solder3,000 – 5,000
lidded box1965sterling silver3,000 – 5,000
Tapestry flatware studies, set of fivec. 1963sterling silver, stainless steel1,000 – 1,500
lidded boxc. 1985electroformed sterling silver, amber cabochon, quartz geode2,000 – 3,000
16 m
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lidded boxc. 1960patinated brass, brass4,000 – 6,000
standing lidded box1952nickel-plated brass, brass5,000 – 7,000
standing lidded box1952patinated brass, sterling silver5,000 – 7,000
standing lidded box1960nickel-plated brass5,000 – 7,000
Untitled1963cast pewter, wood15,000 – 20,000
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Overlap necklacec. 1958sterling silver7,000 – 9,000
Lark serving piece studies, set of threec. 1959pewter, sterling silver2,000 – 3,000
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Moumental lidded vessel1966hand-raised, patinated pewter and mixed metals12,000 – 18,000
lidded vesselc. 1985brass5,000 – 7,000
Box Chained to a Stone1973bronze, sterling silver, bone, granite7,000 – 9,000
lidded boxc. 1970pewter, rope7,000 – 9,000
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Overlap boxes1983–1984hand-formed pewter3,000 – 5,000 each
spoonc. 1980sterling silver700 – 900
spoonc. 1980sterling silver, copper700 – 900
spoonc. 1980sterling silver, brass700 – 900
16 m
arch
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Untitled (Sculpture Studies, set of two)1994–1995hand-formed copper3,000 – 5,000
Untitled (Sculpture Studies, set of three)1960/1986hand-formed copper3,000 – 5,000
Untitled (Sculpture Study)c. 1970hand-formed copper3,000 – 5,000
16 m
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monumental candelstickc. 1995patinated pewter5,000 – 7,000
Untitled (Axe Form )c. 1965cast bronze3,000 – 5,000
Untitled1962cast pewter, pine7,000 – 9,000
monumental floor vesselc. 1995bronze6,000 – 8,000
Untitled ( Kinetic Construction)1960cold-forged brass, cedar10,000 – 15,000 16
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Shield Horns1963hand-formed and patinated copper, granite20,000 – 30,000
River Stone lidded box1994granite, sterling silver5,000 – 7,000
River Stone lidded box1994granite, sterling silver4,000 – 6,000
River Stone lidded boxc. 1994granite, sterling silver5,000 – 7,000
River Stone lidded boxc. 1994agate, sterling silver, onyx5,000 – 7,000
Fish Stone1986carved granite1,000 – 1,500
16 m
arch
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candlestickc. 1950sterling silver3,000 – 5,000
lidded boxc. 1975sterling silver with electroformed sculptural top, Mexican jelly opal4,000 – 6,000
perfume bottlec. 1965silver, bone, resin5,000 – 7,000
Untitled (Kinetic Construction)c. 1970forged brass, pine5,000 – 7,000
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bowls1975hand-formed copper3,000 – 5,000 each
spoon studies, set of twoc. 1980copper700 – 900
fork and knife studies, set of twoc. 1980copper700 – 900
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Dead Bird1962brass, granite15,000 – 20,000
spoon studies, set of eightc. 1960hand-hammered and forged sterling silver, brass1,500 – 2,000
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Forged Units necklace1952sterling silver7,000 – 9,000
necklacec. 1970sterling silver, painted wood beads5,000 – 7,000
braceletc. 1975sterling silver5,000 – 7,000
ringc. 1960sterling silver, moonstone2,000 – 3,000
ringc. 1960sterling silver, rutilated quartz2,000 – 3,000
braceletc. 1980hand-chased sterling silver5,000 – 7,000
16 m
arch
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Overlap spoon studies, set of threec. 1976copper1,000 – 1,500
Untitled ( Wall Relief )c. 1980hand-formed copper6,000 – 8,000
Untitled ( Wall Relief )c. 1980hand-formed copper6,000 – 8,000
Untitled ( Wall Relief )1980hand-formed copper7,000 – 9,000
3736
Geometric box 1988pewter7,000 – 9,000
Geometric box1988pewter7,000 – 9,000
lidded box1983pewter, copper4,000 – 6,000
brooch1986sterling silver, malachite, Lapis Lazuli, turquoise, coral, jade3,000 – 5,000
brooch1986sterling silver, stone inlay, glass3,000 – 5,000
brooch1986sterling silver, mother-of-pearl, malachite, Lapis Lazuli, amethyst, citrine, enameled silver, smoked quartz3,000 – 5,000
brooch1986sterling silver, stone inlay, malachite3,000 – 5,000
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Untitled (Sculptural Bowl)1958hand-formed brass5,000 – 7,000
Untitled (Sculptural Bowl)1959hand-formed brass7,000 – 9,000
Fish boxc. 1985electroformed sterling silver, sterling silver, brass3,000 – 5,000
lidded boxc. 1985electroformed sterling sliver, sterling silver, sand stone3,000 – 5,000
lidded boxc. 1985electroformed sterling sliver, cast sterling silver3,000 – 5,000
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lot listing 100 prototype cigarette boxc. 1957silver-plated pewter3,000 – 5,000
101 prototype cigarette boxc. 1957silver-plated pewter3,000 – 5,000
104 prototype Diamond salt & pepper shakersc. 1955sterling silver5,000 – 7,000
103 Lark serving piece studies, set of sixc. 1959sterling silver3,000 – 5,000
107 lidded boxc. 1975sterling silver with electroformed sculptural top, Mexican jelly opal4,000 – 6,000
106 Denmark coffee & tea service1958pewter, laminate, plastic2,000 – 3,000
105 candlestickc. 1950sterling silver3,000 – 5,000
108 Box Chained to a Stone1973bronze, sterling silver, bone, granite7,000 – 9,000
109 lidded boxc. 1970pewter, rope7,000 – 9,000
118 Untitled1962cast pewter, pine7,000 – 9,000
116 Untitled (Axe Form)c. 1965cast bronze3,000 – 5,000
117 Untitled (Kinetic Construction)1960cold-forged brass, cedar10,000 – 15,000
115 monumental candelstickc. 1995patinated pewter5,000 – 7,000
114 lidded boxc. 1960patinated brass, brass4,000 – 6,000
111 standing lidded box1952nickel-plated brass, brass5,000 – 7,000
110 standing lidded box1952patinated brass, sterling silver5,000 – 7,000
112 standing lidded box1960nickel-plated brass5,000 – 7,000
113 lidded boxc. 1960nickel, sterling silver5,000 – 7,000
125 Fish Stone1986carved granite1,000 – 1,500
124 River Stone lidded box1994granite, sterling silver4,000 – 6,000
121 Moumental lidded vessel1966hand-raised, patinated pewter and mixed metals12,000 – 18,000
119 monumental lidded boxc. 1970pewter7,000 – 9,000
120 Untitled (Axe Form)c. 1965cast bronze2,000 – 3,000
122 Untitled1963cast pewter, wood15,000 – 20,000
126 River Stone lidded box1994granite, sterling silver5,000 – 7,000
123 River Stone lidded boxc. 1994granite, sterling silver5,000 – 7,000
127 River Stone lidded boxc. 1994agate, sterling silver, onyx5,000 – 7,000
136 spoonc. 1980sterling silver700 – 900
133 knife studyc. 1960pewter500 – 700
134 spoon studies, set of twoc. 1960pewter500 – 700
135 fork studies, set of twoc. 1975pewter700 – 900
130 Untitled (Sculpture Studies, set of three)1960/1986hand-formed copper3,000 – 5,000
129 Untitled (Sculpture Study)c. 1970hand-formed copper3,000 – 5,000
131 Untitled (Sculpture Studies, set of two)1994–1995hand-formed copper3,000 – 5,000
128 lidded vesselc. 1985brass5,000 – 7,000
132 Shield Horns1963hand-formed and patinated copper, granite20,000 – 30,000
139 study for Shield Horns1963hand-formed copper, stone10,000 – 15,000
145 Overlap necklacec. 1958sterling silver7,000 – 9,000
141 bowlc. 1970hand-formed brass3,000 – 5,000
140 bowlc. 1980hand-formed copper3,000 – 5,000
143 bowl1975hand-formed copper3,000 – 5,000
138 spoon studies, set of sixc. 1980copper2,000 – 3,000
137 spoonc. 1980sterling silver, copper700 – 900
144 spoonc. 1980sterling silver, brass700 – 900
142 Overlap spoon studies, set of threec. 1976sterling silver, brass1,500 – 2,000
147 Forged Units necklace1952sterling silver7,000 – 9,000
151 Interlinking Forms braceletc. 1960sterling silver3,000 – 5,000
153 Interlinking Forms braceletc. 1960sterling silver3,000 – 5,000
146 broochc. 1956sterling silver, jade3,000 – 5,000
150 broochc. 1955sterling silver, jade2,000 – 3,000
152 broochc. 1958pewter3,000 – 5,000
149 braceletc. 1975sterling silver5,000 – 7,000
148 ringc. 1960sterling silver, moonstone2,000 – 3,000
155 Interlinking Forms braceletc. 1960sterling silver3,000 – 5,000
154 broochc. 1958pewter3,000 – 5,000
156 braceletc. 1975sterling silver5,000 – 7,000
157 necklacec. 1953sterling silver, leather4,000 – 6,000
160 Untitled (Sculptural Form)c. 1970nickel-plated brass7,000 – 9,000
159 necklacec. 1960sterling silver, moonstone, leather3,000 – 5,000
161 demitasse spoon studies, set of fourc. 1960sterling silver1,000 – 1,500
158 Lark flatware studies, set of fivec. 1959sterling silver, stainless steel1,000 – 1,500
pg 4 pg 18 pg 25
pg 7
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pg 14
pg 26
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pg 15
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pg 4
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perfume bottlec. 1965silver, bone, resin5,000 – 7,000
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pg 5
pg 4
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pg 26 pg 20 pg 17
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pg 10
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162 tea strainerc. 1950sterling silver3,000 – 5,000
For complete descriptions visit wright20.com
165 Experimental teapotc. 1975sterling silver15,000 – 20,000
167 broochc. 1972sterling silver2,000 – 3,000
166 brooch1970brass, mother-of-pearl3,000 – 5,000
164 Lark serving piece studies, set of threec. 1959pewter, sterling silver2,000 – 3,000
174 lidded boxc. 1985electroformed sterling silver, amber cabochon, quartz geode2,000 – 3,000
170 lidded box1965sterling silver3,000 – 5,000
175 Fish boxc. 1985electroformed sterling silver, sterling silver, brass3,000 – 5,000
171 chargerc. 1968copper-brass wire with silver solder3,000 – 5,000
168 chargerc. 1968copper-brass wire with silver solder3,000 – 5,000
169 Tapestry flatware studies, set of fivec. 1963sterling silver, stainless steel1,000 – 1,500
173 fork studies, set of twoc. 1960pewter, sterling silver500 – 700
172 spoon studies, set of twoc. 1965pewter500 – 700
176 Dimension spoon studies, set of elevenc. 1959pewter3,000 – 5,000
186 broochc. 1967sterling silver, mother-of-pearl, brass, blister pearl4,000 – 6,000
184 letter openerc. 1960brass1,000 – 1,500
182 lidded boxc. 1985electroformed sterling sliver, cast sterling silver3,000 – 5,000
183 lidded boxc. 1985electroformed sterling sliver, sterling silver, sand stone3,000 – 5,000
185 Untitled ( Kinetic Construction)c. 1970forged brass, pine5,000 – 7,000
179 Geometric box1988pewter7,000 – 9,000
181 Dead Bird1962brass, granite15,000 – 20,000
177 candlestick1985–1994pewter, brass3,000 – 5,000
178 candlestick1985–1994pewter, copper3,000 – 5,000
188 brooch1954sterling silver, moonstone3,000 – 5,000
192 ringc. 1960sterling silver, rutilated quartz2,000 – 3,000
191 Crab broochc. 1950sterling silver, brass3,000 – 5,000
194 broochc. 1955gold-plated brass, aventurine2,000 – 3,000
189 necklacec. 1970sterling silver, painted wood beads5,000 – 7,000
195 necklacec. 1962sterling silver, moonstone, amber, mother-of-pearl6,000 – 8,000
187 necklace1974sterling silver, mother-of-pearl, brass4,000 – 6,000
193 pendantc. 1956sterling silver, moonstone1,500 – 2,000
190 broochc. 1955sterling silver, amber3,000 – 5,000
196 Untitled (Wall Relief)c. 1980hand-formed copper6,000 – 8,000
199 Untitled ( Wall Relief )1980hand-formed copper7,000 – 9,000
201 Untitled ( Wall Relief )c. 1980hand-formed copper6,000 – 8,000
205 spoon studies, set of eightc. 1960hand-hammered and forged sterling silver, brass1,500 – 2,000
198 fork and knife studies, set of twoc. 1980copper700 – 900
203 Untitled ( Relief Panel )1961hand-formed brass5,000 – 7,000
197 spoon studies, set of twoc. 1980copper700 – 900
200 bowl1984hand-formed copper3,000 – 5,000
202 Overlap spoon studies, set of threec. 1976copper1,000 – 1,500
204 monumental floor vesselc. 1995bronze6,000 – 8,000
209 Overlap box1983–1984hand-formed pewter3,000 – 5,000
211 Overlap box1983–1984hand-formed pewter3,000 – 5,000
213 Overlap box1983–1984hand-formed pewter3,000 – 5,000
212 broochc. 1970amber, mother-of-pearl, fire opal, amethyst, gold-plated sterling silver4,000 – 6,000
208 broochc. 1980sterling silver2,000 – 3,000
215 broochc. 1955sterling silver1,500 – 2,000
214 Untitled (Sculptural Bowl )1959hand-formed brass7,000 – 9,000
2 1 0 Untitled (Sculptural Bowl )1958hand-formed brass5,000 – 7,000
216 lidded box1983pewter, copper4,000 – 6,000
220 lidded boxc. 1978pewter1,000 – 1,500
218 lidded boxc. 1975brass, pewter4,000 – 6,000
217 broochc. 1980sterling silver3,000 – 5,000
224 broochc. 1980gold-plated sterling silver, moonstone2,500 – 3,500
221 broochc. 1970sterling silver1,000 – 1,500
219 pendantc. 1955sterling silver1,000 – 1,500
222 braceletc. 1980hand-chased sterling silver5,000 – 7,000
227 brooch1986sterling silver, stone inlay, malachite3,000 – 5,000
226 brooch1986sterling silver, malachite, Lapis Lazuli, turquoise, coral, jade3,000 – 5,000
228 brooch1986sterling silver, mother-of-pearl, malachite, Lapis Lazuli, amethyst, citrine, enameled silver, smoked quartz3,000 – 5,000
225 pendantc. 1960sterling silver, moonstone5,000 – 7,000
229 brooch1986sterling silver, stone inlay, glass3,000 – 5,000
163 tea strainerc. 1950sterling silver, ebony5,000 – 7,000
pg 9
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pg 11pg 13
pg 40
pg 8
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pg 21pg 34
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pg 25
pg 32180 Geometric box1988pewter7,000 – 9,000
pg 39
207 Overlap box1983–1984hand-formed pewter3,000 – 5,000
206 Untitled (Relief Panel)c. 1962cast pewter, wood7,000 – 9,000
pg 21
223 pendantc. 1960citrine, reticulated crystal, silver, gold7,000 – 9,000
© 2017 Wright Richard Wright auctioneer Illinois No. 041000341
wright 1440 W Hubbard St Chicago IL 60642 312 563 0020
980 Madison Ave New York NY 10075 212 585 0200 wright20.com
For complete descriptions visit wright20.com
bid in person, by telephone, absentee, online or with the Wright iOS app
Bid Department [email protected] t 312 563 0020f 312 563 0040 Request condition reports [email protected]
auction 16 march 2017
