Materials: Bronze and Silver
Dimensions: 6.5" x 7" x 7"
As seen in 500 Metal Vessels book by Lark Books this Kiddush Cup is the epitome of elegance. It is cast in bronze and has a spun silver cup. When you look down upon it the base forms a Star of David. This piece is a Limited Edition of 18.
Photo credit: Joy Stember
Joy L Stember
Abington, PA. USA
The long lines and repetitive nature in urban landscapes inspire my art as well as mid-century design. I use a variety of metals such as pewter, brass, bronze, silver and copper to produce my designs. Each piece is fabricated using a method of scoring and folding sheets of pewter to make 3 dimensional forms. The pieces are then folded and soldered together using a low-temperature solder. The textures are created using an embossing method.
I attended Tyler School of Art, Temple University, in Elkins Park, PA where I received my BFA in Metals. In the winter of 2010, I went on a Taglit Birthright trip to Israel. While there, I was captivated by the landscape, culture and history. When I returned home I felt a stronger connection to Israel, my culture and my identity as an artist. This journey profoundly changed my perspective and led me to discover my true passion. I began to focus on creating contemporary Judaica full-time and opened the Joy Stember Metal Arts Studio, LLC. This decision has not only provided great personal fulfillment but also the opportunity to share my craft with the world.
These containers and vessels definitely hold their place in the world of stunning art objects as well as in the world of metalsmithing.
Since the dawn of time humans have created containers to hold things that were important to them, from large vessels to hold food and harvests to intimate containers for small precious things. They might hold memories, ashes, medicine, beverage, fruit or food - but all spring from the imagination and skill of the maker. Some have specific religious functions, some are meant for everyday use. When one thinks of a vessel or container the inclination is to think of something with solid walls - yet many of these works involve the exploration of positive and negative space, and the use of negative space to help create the illusion of the wall of the vessel.
As the world’s largest jewelry related internet site, Ganoksin strives to develop exhibitions showcasing work from around the world. This exhibition was open to all metalsmiths, professional and amateur, advanced and beginner. Participants are from The Netherlands, the USA, Canada, Australia, Costa Rica, the United Kingdom, Israel, Hong Kong, Colombia, Romania, Italy, Ireland, Japan, Malaysia and Denmark. While most of the pieces are by an individual metalsmith, some are collaborations, one of three artists spanning 50 years.
In total 319 artists contributed 729 show pieces for the permanent online exhibition.
Objects in the exhibition include boxes, lockets, urns, ash containers, bowls, wine cups, reliquaries, match holders, vases, teapots, pitchers, sugar bowls, baskets, nests, pillboxes, clutches and a range of sculptural forms. A variety of techniques are showcased covering a wide range of metalsmithing techniques. Materials used include everything from gold and silver to less expensive metals. Ornamentation includes the addition of enamel, chasing and repousse’, gemstones and found objects.
The exhibition was curated by Beth Wicker, President of the North Carolina Society of Goldsmiths in the United States, and Adjunct Instructor at Northeastern Technical College in South Carolina. Director of the exhibition is Hanuman Aspler, founder of The Ganoksin Project, the world’s largest internet jewelry site.
