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Lot Essay
Sold in an original GEM Montebello, Milano jewellery box.
La jolie is one of Man Ray’s rarest and most seminal pieces of jewellery. Executed in 1971 in a limited edition of twelve by his friend Italian Goldsmith Gem Montebello, La jolie highlights the highly individual and imaginative style that defines the artist’s work. As a Surrealist and Dadaist artist, who worked as a photographer, film director, painter and sculptor Man Ray was used to working in a number of different mediums, relishing the opportunity to push the boundaries of art. Man Ray worked in close collaboration with Montebello, creating a series of jewellery pieces that allowed his creative incentive to run free from any aesthetic restraints of jewellery making. He only produced eight pieces of jewellery between 1970 and 1976, in editions of twelve, which often included variants. These were designed as wearable sculptures and were often created as personal gifts for friends and family.
La jolie is one of Man Ray’s rarest and most seminal pieces of jewellery. Executed in 1971 in a limited edition of twelve by his friend Italian Goldsmith Gem Montebello, La jolie highlights the highly individual and imaginative style that defines the artist’s work. As a Surrealist and Dadaist artist, who worked as a photographer, film director, painter and sculptor Man Ray was used to working in a number of different mediums, relishing the opportunity to push the boundaries of art. Man Ray worked in close collaboration with Montebello, creating a series of jewellery pieces that allowed his creative incentive to run free from any aesthetic restraints of jewellery making. He only produced eight pieces of jewellery between 1970 and 1976, in editions of twelve, which often included variants. These were designed as wearable sculptures and were often created as personal gifts for friends and family.