Rare 1971 Sterling Silver Snowflake Met Museum (NY) Jozef Domjan Christmas Tree Decoration

This is a very rare, retired sterling silver piece issued in limited numbers by the Metropolitan Museum (New York) in 1971.

It was part of a series of Christmas decorations that were issued annually by the Metropolitan Museum starting in the late 1960’s.

It would make an amazing decoration on a tree as it was intended but also a wonderful birthday present for anyone born in 1971!

It is a wonderful design and is in excellent condition as shown in the images provided.

It measures 95mm x 70mm at the widest points and weighs 27.8g.

It is hallmarked on the back:

1971
MMA [Metropolitan Museum of Art]
STERLING

This one was designed by Jozef Domjan.

Jozef Domjan was born in Kispest, Budapest, Hungary 1907 and died in Tuxedo Park, NewYork 1992.

His work can be found in the following collections/museums:
Metropolitan Museum of Art (New York)
Tate (London)
British Museum (London)
The Art Institute of Chicago
Smithsonian American Art Museum (Washington)
Victoria & Albert Museum (London)
The Amon Carter Museum of American Art (Texas)
Mingei International Museum (California)
University of Minnesota Twin Cities

“Joseph (Spirl) Domjan (Born 1907) was active/lived in New York / Hungary.
Joseph Domjan is known for Color woodcuts-floral.

In the 70’s, we had an exhibit of Joseph Domjan’s woodcuts of dragons, at the Cayuga museum in Auburn NY. He came to the opening and spoke.

He told how he was visited by the German secret police.
They asked if he was “Joseph Domjan, the woodcut artist?” … And expected him to have an exhibit of his woodcuts.

In fear for his life, he gathered any workable tools he could find and began producing woodcuts for the first time…( this was what he shared about how /why he began using this medium).

He continued and preferred using basic tools for his woodcuts.
He was gifted with a fine set, but stayed with what he had, instead.
He was a very humble unpretentious man.

Prior to this exhibit in Auburn, his woodcuts were featured in conjunction with woodcuts by Albert Durer, at the Metropolitan Museum of Art”
From AskArt submitted by Noel LaPointe in July 2023

Please have a look at our other Metropolitan Museum Sterling Silver Snowflake listed this week.

We are always coming across rare and unusual antiques through our contacts and networks of dealers and collectors built up over 30 years. Keep checking our listings of feel free to drop us a message if you are looking for anything specific.

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