Anello in corallo (Coral ring)

Mirko Basaldella Anello in corallo (Coral ring), 1956 Yellow gold, (Oro Masenza) coral ring set with a coral cabochon, to a mount of abstract open work design 3 cm Coral: 1.8 x 1.4 x 0.7 cm unique Mirko’s jewels were originally created and designed for his wife Serena Cagli, sister of Corrado Cagli, a rising star painter of the ‘School of Rome’ and a close friend of Basaldella. It is during those years that Mirko also started experimenting new shapes and patterns, influenced, and inspired by the Aztec mosaic sculptures and Donatello. The last piece the gallery acquired is Mirko’s statement 1956 Coral ring, set with a coral cabochon to a mount of abstract open work design, both gifted to his beloved wife. Albeit Basaldella rarely signed his pieces, all work sare accompanied by a certificate of authenticity issued by Archivio Corrado Cagli who’s the sole and exclusive archive issuing documentation for Mirko’s heritage.     Il Gallo ed il Serpente (The Rooster and the Serpent) Brooches 5 Amethyst ring Rings 2 Anello in corallo (Coral ring) Rings 4 Motivo Astratto (Abstract Motif) Bracelets / Cuffs 7

Sophia Vari Thétis, 2011 18ky yellow gold ring 4 x 3 cm Edition of 6 Signed and numbered Make it Yours ♥   Thétis  was a goddess of the sea and the leader of the fifty Nereids. Like many other sea gods she possessed the gift of prophesy and power to change her shape at will. Thétis was also best known for being the mother of the greek  hero Achilles. Sophia Vari’s approach to jewelry, came at a time in which the artist’s busy and international schedule wouldn’t allow her time in the studio. To fill the creative gap, Vari began producing mini versions of her monumental sculptures using plasticines. Despite the significantly reduced size, the same attention and preoccupations that permeates her large-scale work were applied to the smaller ones and eventually become at the basis for her jewellery design making her an incredibly versatile and unique artist. Produced in monumental scale or as table pieces, monochrome or coloured, her bold, dynamic and yet elegant sculptures portray the artist’s profound respect for the material, which is only of the higher quality, and her interest in the process, in which she is an active participant. Another quality shared by all her sculptures, and one which the artist pays particular attention to, is the relationship between the object and the space […]

Sophia Vari Méandre, 2011 Vermeil ring 3 x 2.5 cm Edition of 6 Signed and numbered Make it Yours ♥ More than likely we’ve all come across the ‘Greek key’, also known as the ‘meander’ (a repeating geometric motif), at some time or another. During 18th century Europe, along with the rejuvenated enthusiasm for all things Greek came the Greek Key symbol, a sign of Greek style and taste; a sophisticated, decorative pattern which adorned just about anything. Today it’s still very much the vogue; usually a decorative border, embellishes jewellery, fabric, carpets, wall-coverings, carpets and magnificent buildings. In Ancient Greece, the unbroken, interlocking pattern of the Meander (Meandros), or Greek Key, was one of the most important symbols; it symbolised infinity, unity, also an echo of  the perpetual flow of water, or waves, it also represents the infinite and eternal movement of life. Produced in monumental scale or as table pieces, monochrome or colored, her bold, dynamic and yet elegant sculptures portray the artist’s profound respect for the material, which is only of the higher quality, and her interest in the process, in which she is an active participant. Another quality shared by all her sculptures, and one which the artist pays […]

Sophia Vari Zervodexos, 2022 Amaranth wood and yellow gold ring 3.5 x 10cm edition of 6 plus 1 AP signed and numbered A joyful and comic dance, performed at festivals in the spring, Zervodexos got its name from the way the dancers move to the left (zerva) and the right (dexia). The changes in direction occur when the lyra-player produces a specific high note The new body of works are once again breath taking in strength and creativity. Abstraction is refined to the hummed mantra of “Beauty and Harmony” where bold geometric forms are accentuated by colour coming from unconventional mediums. They are sculptures that become wearable with the force of a poetic statement. New materials such as amaranth wood and resin appeared in front of her by surprise. Vari was looking for something distinctive and by chance, when looking at the different colours of wood, she discovered the beautiful exotic amaranth wood. What is special about this wood, is that it is green in colour and then in contact with the sun, it transforms and stabilises into pink/purple.This new colour naturally redefines certain forms that the artist perceives differently with the other woods previously used.  

Sophia Vari Haniotikos, 2023 Amaranth wood and 18kt  yellow gold ring 4 x 3 cm Edition of 6 plus 1 AP Signed and numbered Make it Yours ♥   The Syrtos is probably the most popular dance on the island of Crete. Often called Haniotikos because it was originally most associated with the district of Hania, the dance is performed with slight variations depending on the local tradition. The term ‘Syrtos’ is found throughout Greece as a designation for several different dances which are ‘pulled’ by a leader (Serno–Syro = To pull, drag along). Crete is also one of the few areas of present day Greece where traditional  music and dance is still very much alive even among youngest generations. In all Vari’s pieces, abstraction is refined to the hummed mantra of “Beauty and Harmony” where bold geometric forms are accentuated by colour coming from unconventional mediums. They are sculptures that become wearable with the force of a poetic statement. New materials such as amaranth wood and resin appeared in front of her by surprise. For this exhibition, Vari was looking for something distinctive and by chance, when looking at the different colours of wood, she discovered the beautiful exotic amaranth […]

Sophia Vari Lazotis, 2022 White resin and yellow gold ring 5 x 5cm edition of 6 plus 2 AP signed and numbered Lazotis is a traditional yet cheerful circular dance danced by men and women in several regions of Crete. It is characterized by two small seats which must be beautiful aesthetically and also in terms of timing. In recent years it has become predominantly danced by women. In all Vari pieces, abstraction is refined to the hummed mantra of “Beauty and Harmony” where bold geometric forms are accentuated by colour coming from unconventional mediums. They are sculptures that become wearable with the force of a poetic statement. The new medium the Artist has been working on is resin that was a fortuitous discovery. Vari noticed the beauty of its lightness and transparency; it has a marble like feel that reminds her of the Thassos marble that she uses in her sculptures. The forms are enhanced by gold acquiring preciousness and as a whole they become strong.      

Sophia Vari Sirtos, 2022 White resin and yellow gold ring 4 x 7 cm edition of 6 plus 2 AP signed and numbered Syrtos is an ancient Greek chain dance. It was described by Lucian (c. AD 125–190) and is still danced today in many varieties all over Greece and in the Greek islands. Traditionally, it was danced by segregated lines of men and women, a youth leading the line of girls; lines now are frequently mixed. The dancers in the chain maintain a simple fundamental step, but the leader improvises, often breaking away from the line. In all Vari pieces, abstraction is refined to the hummed mantra of “Beauty and Harmony” where bold geometric forms are accentuated by colour coming from unconventional mediums. They are sculptures that become wearable with the force of a poetic statement. The new medium the Artist has been working on is resin that was a fortuitous discovery. Vari noticed the beauty of its lightness and transparency; it has a marble like feel that reminds her of the Thassos marble that she uses in her sculptures. The forms are enhanced by gold acquiring preciousness and as a whole they become strong.  

Sophia Vari Siganos, 2022 White resin and yellow gold ring 4 x 5 cm edition of 6 plus 2 AP signed and numbered Siganos was the dance of the bride in the central and eastern Crete. It came from the Rethimno prefecture and is a slow dance that both men and women hold each other’s shoulders and make a circle. According to tradition, Siganos was created by the Cretans during the Turkish Occupation as the Turks invited Christians in their feasts in order to make the women dance. In all Vari pieces, abstraction is refined to the hummed mantra of “Beauty and Harmony” where bold geometric forms are accentuated by colour coming from unconventional mediums. They are sculptures that become wearable with the force of a poetic statement. The new medium the Artist has been working on is resin that was a fortuitous discovery. Vari noticed the beauty of its lightness and transparency; it has a marble like feel that reminds her of the Thassos marble that she uses in her sculptures. The forms are enhanced by gold acquiring preciousness and as a whole they become strong.  

Sophia Vari Autolycos, 2019 Belgium black marble and yellow gold ring 4 x 3 cm Edition of 3 plus 2 AP Signed and numbered Make it Yours ♥ In Greek mythology, Autolycus (Autolykos ‘the wolf itself’) was a successful robber who had even the power of metamorphosing both the stolen goods and himself. He had his residence on Mount Parnassus and was renowned among men for his cunning and oaths Sophia Vari’s “portable sculptures”, as she likes to call them, first became part of the artist’s body of work 30 years ago; at a time in her life when demanding international schedule kept her constantly on the move. While travelling, she carried with her a small box of plasticine, from which she would mould miniature sculptures. “From that day on, I had a new creative challenge that gave me a lot of joy because I could see the pieces being worn,” she recalls. Vari approaches wearable art in precisely the same manner and strength as her abstract sculptures, collages and paintings. Her thorough exploration of bold geometric forms, the examination of volume, painterly curves and lines result in the composition both peaceful and elegant but also captures a harmonious theatrical tension. “It is a real […]

Sissi Daniela Olivieri Nidi Olimpici (Olympic Nests), 2023 18kt yellow gold thread, South Sea pearls ring 4 x 5 x ø 1.68 cm Unique and signed Make it Yours ♥ With an artistic focus of anatomical study in relations to environmental elements, Sissi brings forth new ways to interpret wearable art, as the pieces transform into a second skin of light and gold for the wearer. For her wearable art pieces, Sissi interlaces the symbolism of the bird’s nest with the anatomy of the human body. The artist’s creations are hand-made and embellished, yet delicate like her sculptures. Carefully interwoven and welded with gold and silver threads, decorated with precious gemstones, Sissi’s contemplative process re-imagines a sculptural piece of art to work in tandem with the single wearer. It was pivotal to Sissi to be personally involved with the production of her wearable art pieces. Nests, Cocoons and Olympic Nests draw its symbolism from natural nests which provide a safe place. “The nest is not only the home of the body, but also a space that dresses and protects like the Cocoons wearable sculptures, cocoon-nests that enfold a content. The chrysalis represents both the rest of the being and its momentum, a continuous rebirth […]