Otto Jakob is one of the world's leading artist-goldsmiths. With a background in art, but self-taught as a goldsmith and jeweller, he works from his atelier in Karlsruhe, Germany, creating one of a kind sculptural jewels, in the spirit of great Wunderkammer treasures, works of art that are prized by connoisseurs and collectors across the world. In an exclusive interview for Gold Inspirations, he shares his passion and his beliefs.
For further information and all enquiries, please visit www.ottojakob.com
"Art and the qualities that turn an object into a work of art are strongly linked to outstanding craftsmanship, manifested in an unexpected manner, in a way no one could possibly ever have imagined it might be used. In German, there is a saying: Kunst kommt von können. Craftsmanship comes first, and only if you can master it, may you then be able to create a work of art."
For further information and all enquiries, please visit www.ottojakob.com
"I knew from the beginning that I had to teach myself. My father was not allowed to be an artist, but he was passionate about art, design, history and this made a deep impression on me. I was the only family member willing to follow him to museums, where I met artists of the past, and which became my playground, the beginning of creating a fantasy. When I was 17, I made my girlfriend – who is now my wife – a ring. She had seen a ring she liked in a shop in Rome, it was nothing special and overpriced and I told her I would make one myself, which I did, by melting a silver spoon stolen from my family's canteen of cutlery. I enjoyed the process very much."
"The content of a jewel, of an idea, is the most important element, and I am fortunate in relating to so many different influences: Indian, African, Japanese netsuke, living painters, sculptors, architects, furniture and car designers, never-ending nature studies and the love of tribal rites and rituals."
For further information and all enquiries, please visit www.ottojakob.com
"Even if I am influenced, I never want to copy, I am not a historicist, I want to enrich, to transform an idea or influence into our culture. The spirit of a jewel is so important; if it doesn't affect me emotionally, even if it is perfect, then it is nothing but trivial. The personal passion behind a jewel is rare today, but much needed. If I had to define the word magic – a word so overused, but with such an important meaning– I would say it is about the combination of craftsmanship and spirit."
For further information and all enquiries, please visit www.ottojakob.com
"For me gold has always been the most magical material. It retains its magic despite the fact that in our society we cannot let it shine as cheerfully as the jewels of an Ashanti king. The luminosity of yellow gold is incomparable: it captures the very essence of the warmth and the sun. There is no other material that is so malleable and durable at the same time, it is the material capable of standing the true tests of time; playing a vital role in fulfilling the ambition of every true artist, to have his work outlive him. I love to combine ancient, archetypal techniques with the newest technologies. For example, I start with chasing and engraving an element using methods dating back to antiquity, I combine it with an element that was designed in 3D on computer, and cover it with fired enamel."
For further information and all enquiries, please visit www.ottojakob.com
"My work is about cross-breeding ancient methods, which I try to implement with complete authenticity, with technical progress which has always fascinated me. The vast majority of my clients are interested in the fine arts and are also art collectors. For them, it is important that the jewels they wear do not look ridiculous next to a Lucio Fontana or a Gerhard Richter. They are not looking for trends, but for an evolution, and they often become collectors of my work. They find joy in the intricate micro details that are one of my signatures that provide a sense of discovery: even after many years you might find something you have never noticed before."
For further information and all enquiries, please visit www.ottojakob.com
"My work is about cross-breeding ancient methods, which I try to implement with complete authenticity, with technical progress which has always fascinated me. The vast majority of my clients are interested in the fine arts and are also art collectors. For them, it is important that the jewels they wear do not look ridiculous next to a Lucio Fontana or a Gerhard Richter. They are not looking for trends, but for an evolution, and they often become collectors of my work. They find joy in the intricate micro details that are one of my signatures that provide a sense of discovery: even after many years you might find something you have never noticed before."
For further information and all enquiries, please visit www.ottojakob.com
Earrings shaped as horns of plenty, with diamond micro pavé set clasps. The horns are filled with enameled lily of the valley blossom casts and glowing yellow gold foil. Yellow and white gold, vitreous enamel
"My mission, the same as ever, is to continue my own evolution. At the beginning of my career, there was a strong involvement with antiquity that has faded over the years as I have increasingly developed my own iconography. A perfect example is the Abundancia pair of earrings. Abundancia means profusion and alludes to the horn of plenty. I have made horns of plenty since the beginning, and originally they looked exactly as horns are supposed to look, made of sheet gold worked over a core. This year, the horns have been constructed with digital aids and have little resemblance to any horn I have seen in my life, but are still immediately recognisable as horns of plenty. I have filled them with cast lily of the valley blossoms, paper thin and precarious to make. After 150 hours of work, you have two feather-light bouquets, frozen in their beauty. My jewellery is made from dreams."
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