Wine cup - Holding Place

Materials: Sterling Silver with 14K gold
Dimensions: 2 1/2" H x 2 1/2" W

Sterling Silver wine cup with gold base rim

Photo credit: Henry Grunberg

Gloria Sterental
Bay Harbor, FL. USA

I began my formal training as a silversmith in Florence, Italy. The years I spent in Italy formed me as an artist. On my return from Italy I lived in Peru where I was inspired by local craftsmen and unique Andean stones. I have a degree in Graphic Design which helps me create one of a kind pieces. Inspired by the metals’ intrinsic purity, I enjoy forging in various shapes. My love and fascination for color motivates me to introduce stones into every piece I create. I polish my pieces with precision to achieve a beautiful shine that intrigues the eye. In Miami, Florida where I live with my family, I have my own private studio. Here, I loose all track of time at my bench where ideas and execution become one.


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.