Karl Stittgen (German, worked in Canada, b. 1930), Brooch, 1970s, gold, malachite, diamonds

Audio Description

This brooch was designed in the 1970s by Karl Stittgen, who was a German jewelry designer. Stittgen worked in Canada and was born in 1930.

This brooch is made up of two perfect circles that intersect. Set in polished gold, the left side of the brooch is a circle of textured gold, while the right side is set with a piece of green malachite. Where the two sides intersect in the middle, the oval shape is set with small, faceted diamonds laid side by side. A small faceted diamond is also set on the far edge of the malachite circle.

Label Copy

This brooch was designed in the 1970s by Karl Stittgen, who was a German jewelry designer. Stittgen worked in Canada and was born in 1930.

This very geometric brooch epitomizes the avant-garde work of Karl Stittgen, whose jewelry often employs both polished and textured surfaces. Although most of his work is abstract, it is inspired by organic elements such as tree bark, a bird’s nest, seaweed, or lichen. Interested in making bold statements, he considers his jewelry to be art objects or miniature sculptures. This piece resembles a Venn diagram. The natural striations of the green malachite on one side and the textured gold on the other contrast with the faceted pavé diamonds outlined in white gold where the two intersect.

Having immigrated to Canada from Germany in 1952 with no formal training in jewelry-making, Stittgen believed in making jewelry that fit the person who was to wear it. He was interested in clients who had taste and courage, and he felt jewelry should be a definitive statement of its owner.

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