Designer: Ingeborg Bookstaber (1922 - 1993)

Item: Modernist silver wire cloisonné enamel plaque mother and child

Manufactured by: Ingeborg Bookstaber

Country of origin: United States

Year made: 1960s

Materials: Silver wire cloisonné enamel plaque mounted on walnut block

Dimensions: Overall 11” x 6” x 3 ½” plaque is 7” x 3 ¼”

Description: Here is an another 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 modernist depiction of the classic mother and child with a cubist nod to Picasso this work also has a definite hippie era aesthetic.  Awesome use of colors as well as some gold leaf placed under the enamel before baking to give a visual depth.    

The back retains an old label from the artist, and the work is initialed in the enamel and has carved initials on the bottom as shown.  We purchased this as one of a group of four works by Bookstaber from the same source, as shown in the photos.  

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

Condition: Excellent