Otto Jakob, Russiella Truncata Earrings © Otto Jakob

White gold nature casts of a now extinct fossilised brachiopod (Russiella truncata) that lived in Siberia ca. 530 million years ago. The predator-like teeth formed by upper and lower valve are spring-loaded to dramatize their natural functionality. A chainmaille of interlinked eyelets set with diamond briolettes leads to the upper section that is made to resemble a contemporary scallop shell. Unique pair.

Otto Jakob, Babbaluscia earrings, 2017. Yellow gold, purple garnets and vitreous enamel © Otto Jakob 

Earrings inspired by the mathematical architecture of spindle-shaped gastropod shells. The abstract whorls are covered with translucent green-grey vitreous enamel and set with purple garnets within eye-like mountings. 

Otto Jakob, Zayil © Otto Jakob

Earrings of partially oxidized yellow gold in the shape of a slab mill with polished teeth. The cutting relief of their white gold faces is emphasized by color gradation of the micro pavé set diamonds, partially oxidized yellow and white gold and diamonds.

Otto Jakob (*1951) is a self-taught artist-goldsmith. At 17 years old Otto Jakob began to teach himself to make jewelry. Inspired by the magic and artistic power of Etruscan, Celtic and Hellenic masterpieces, he learned their complex techniques using treatises by Pliny and Cellini. Between 1977 and 1980 he studied painting with Georg Baselitz. Since 1980 he has devoted himself exclusively to the creation of jewelry. Otto Jakob employs 10 master goldsmiths in his atelier in Karlsruhe, and the output is limited to about 100 pieces a year.

Otto Jakob at TEFAF New York Fall 2017, Stand 82. Primary Address: Weinbrennerstr. 40, 76135 Karlsruhe, Germany. T  +49721855911 - tefaf@ottojakob.com - www.ottojakob.com