Kaleidoscope effect

Jewellery kaleidoscope

American jewelry designer Tony Papp

Work by American jewelry designer Tony Papp (1961-1991)

Nickel sterling silver brooch. 1988. Work by American jewelry designer Tony Papp (1961-1991)

American jewelry designer Tony Papp
The life of the talented jewelry designer Anthony Papp was bright but tragic. Born into the family of renowned theater producer and director Joseph Papp (1921 – 1991), he died very young, at the age of 29, and the same year as his 70-year-old father. The cause of his death was AIDS. Having lived a short life, he nevertheless managed to enter the history of jewelry design. This year the designer would have turned 60 and one can only imagine how many jewelry masterpieces he would have been able to create if he had not died so early.
A graduate of the Parsons School of Design, Anthony opened his gallery in the prestigious Trump Tower shopping district in 1986. Noteworthy, the first visitors to the opening were Donald Trump and the famous father of the designer.
Along with his works, Anthony Papp exhibited works by famous and emerging jewelers. However, due to high competition and financial difficulties, the gallery existed for only 2 years. Papp’s modernist metal designs were unable to withstand the brilliant sheen of the famous brands.
During his short life, he managed to teach at art schools and create unique jewelry exhibited in major galleries in his native New York, Boston and Philadelphia. Traditionally, Papp used several metals that created some play in his flowing, three-dimensional geometric designs. According to the designer himself, Russian constructivists inspired him most of all, and he was a constructivist at heart.

925 Sterling silver modernist design pin. 1982

925 Sterling silver modernist design pin. 1982

Maker's mark

Maker’s mark

American jewelry designer Tony Papp (1961-1991)

Abstract design 925 sterling silver brooch. 1980s

Abstract design 925 sterling silver brooch. 1980s

Bracelet. Marriage of metals - bronze, sterling silver, nickel silver, mild steel. 1988

Bracelet. Marriage of metals – bronze, sterling silver, nickel silver, mild steel. 1988

Disc shaped earrings. Sterling silver, nickel silver, brass. 1980s

Disc shaped earrings. Sterling silver, nickel silver, brass. 1980s

Geometric design three-dimensional pyramid sterling silver earrings. 1980s

Geometric design three-dimensional pyramid sterling silver earrings. 1980s

Marriage of metals brooch. Sterling silver, nickel silver, brass with patina. 1988

Marriage of metals brooch. Sterling silver, nickel silver, brass with patina. 1988

Modernist geometric design sterling silver Pin

Modernist geometric design sterling silver Pin

Modernist three dimensional design earrings of mixed metals with stripes

Modernist three dimensional design earrings of mixed metals with stripes

Sterling silver modernist design brooch pin. 1982

Sterling silver modernist design brooch pin. 1982

American jewelry designer Anthony Papp (1961-1991)

American jewelry designer Anthony Papp (1961-1991)

Signature

Signature