Oppi A. J. Untracht (November 17, 1922 – July 5, 2008) was an American master metalsmith,[1] educator, and writer.
Biography edit
Born in New York City, Untracht obtained his Master of Fine Arts at Columbia University in 1947. Originally trained as a photographer,[2] he studied Indian arts and crafts and later became an expert on the jewelry of India[3] and Nepal. In addition to being an honorary member of the Society of North American Goldsmiths, in 2000 Untracht was awarded a Lifetime American Achievement Award on behalf of the American Craft Council.[4] His first book, Metal Techniques for Craftsmen is considered a standard training textbook for silversmiths.
Untracht married Finnish designer Saara Hopea, and moved permanently to Finland in 1967. Untracht died in Porvoo in 2008.[5]
Bibliography edit
- Metal Techniques for Craftsmen (1968). ISBN 0-7091-0723-4
- Jewelry Concepts and Technology[1] (1982). ISBN 0-385-04185-3
- Saara Hopea Untracht: Elämä ja työ — Life and Work (1988). ISBN 951-0-14377-4
- Traditional Jewelry of India (1997). ISBN 0-500-28749-X
References edit
- ^ a b Malarcher, Patricia (February 14, 1988). "Focus on Current Directions in Jewelry". The New York Times. Retrieved April 15, 2011.
- ^ Deitz, Paula (November 29, 1998). "Clusters of Treasures To Clothe the Soul". New York Times. November 29, 1998. Retrieved April 15, 2011.
- ^ Andre, Mila (February 1, 1999). "Indian Jewels Go From Head To Toe". New York Daily News. Retrieved April 15, 2011.
- ^ "In memoriam: Writer Oppi Untracht". The American Council for Southern Asian Art. Retrieved April 15, 2011.
- ^ Obituary: Oppi Untracht (in Finnish) Helsingin Sanomat, 5 July, 2008.