Description
Karl Heinz Stittgen (1930 - 2023) 18k/Sterling chrysocolla pendant/necklace. 28" necklace, solid 18k gold slab at the top of the bezel/pendant. I know it didn‘t photograph well due to contrasts and time limitations but it‘s great. No issues, weights and measurements in pics.
STITTGEN, Karl Heinz
1930 - 2023
Karl Stittgen emigrated from Germany in the early 1950s and established himself as a prominent jeweller and watchmaker in West Vancouver. His creations soon gained global recognition and consequently he opened additional Stittgen stores in Calgary, New York and San Francisco. In his golden years, he trained many Master Goldsmiths who carry on his traditions and techniques today.
Karl Stittgens profound impact on both local and international jewellery design was honoured in 2009, when he received the Creative Achievement Award of Distinction at the 5th annual British Columbia Creative Achievement Awards for Applied Art and Design.
Karl was born in Bad Durkheim, Germany, and emigrated to Canada in 1952 at the age of 21. Although trained as a watchmaker, his creative urge led him to try his hand at jewelry making, where he gained the confidence of a loyal clientele drawn to his discerning eye for design. His reputation soon spread globally, and he expanded with stores in Calgary, New York, and San Francisco.
Karl‘s loyal clients, recognizing his sense of style, taste, and precision, convinced him to design and furnish the unique homes of a very select few. Karl‘s first wife, Gabrielle Pontoppidan, whom he married in 1961, admired and supported these forays into new areas of creative work. Karl‘s second wife, Nora Sasaki, was a talented artist who complemented his vision and unique creative style. Together, they designed and built an exquisite architectural landmark home, "Halcyon Days," on Pender Island. The home reflected Karl‘s admiration for Frank Lloyd Wright in every detail. Both Karl and Nora took great delight in hosting many different creative people on the island and visitors from all over the world, entertaining them with a feast for all senses in their home. They were also renowned for their generosity towards the artistic community on Pender Island and beyond.
Well into his eighties, Karl began working in the new medium of ceramics. His studio was a place where he cultivated imagination and had the incredible self-assurance to traverse new and uncharted territory. To see his creations, free in form but precise in construction, was to be in the presence of genius.
Karl‘s childhood was difficult, bereft of encouragement to explore or parental affection and support. This may have forged Karl‘s inner strength and determination to become his own person strong in creative conviction with the courage to try the unthinkable. How else would a person move from being a watchmaker to a celebrated jeweler, to an architectural designer, and finally taking creativity literally back into his hands as an acclaimed ceramicist? Karl‘s creative trajectory was only possible because, as he often mentioned, he left Germany to live in Canada where he felt free to tread new terrain without formal training.
In September 2009, Karl received the B.C. Creative Achievement Award of Distinction in Vancouver. He was selected for his "profound and lasting impact on applied art and design in British Columbia" and for a "lifetime of creative vision and innovation." His designs were largely inspired by organic sculptural forms found in nature. His exquisite jewelry received much critical acclaim during what some have called the golden age of design in Vancouver.
All precious metals are tested and guaranteed. A Native American jewelry piece referred to as "silver" or "ingot" is guaranteed to be at least 90% silver. I rarely use the word "sterling" when referring to older Native American silver or really any older silver jewelry as silver contents vary and "sterling" is 92.5% silver. No older jewelry is going to be exactly 92.5% silver, some a little over, some a little under. It wasn‘t an exact thing with handmade jewelry. I‘ve seen thousands of pieces xrf‘d to prove this. Bracelets are photographed on a 6" women‘s wrist.
