Designer: Ingeborg Bookstaber (1922 - 1993) 

Item: Modernist silver wire cloisonné enamel plaque figure with dove

Manufactured by: Ingeborg Bookstaber

Country of origin: United States

Year made: 1960s

Materials: Silver wire cloisonné enamel plaque mounted in walnut

Dimensions: Overall 8 ¾” x 8” x 2” plaque is 5 ¾” 3 ¼”

Description:  Here is an amazing modernist cloisonné work by a newly discovered master of the technique.  This works dates to the 1960s and was created in the Rockland County, New York area.  Bookstaber passed away living in Rockland County, New York.

It is likely that Bookstaber was associated with the Gate Hill Cooperative in Stony Point New York, which was founded by former teachers from Black Mountain College and was in very close proximity to where Bookstaber lived. Other artists who worked at Gsate Hill and whose work is now becoming known, were also producing enamel and cloisonné art, but there is very little literature about the cooperative and its membership.

A cubist inspired figure holding a large dove.  It has a definite hippie era aesthetic depicting the dove symbol for peace, which was universally recognized as an image of the 1960’s anti-war movement against the Vietnam war.  Initialed in the lower portion of the work as show.

We purchased this as one of a group of four works by Bookstaber from the same source.  Unlike the other works from this group, the enamel plaque is inset into the walnut block to make it flush with the surface.  

Although we are selling these individually, we will consider reasonable offers for the entire group.

Condition: Excellent